PANIC Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5234
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2022-12-12
Policy area: International Affairs
Latest action: action_date: 2022-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S7103-7104)

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-12-12
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Protecting America from Narcotics and Illicit Chemicals Act of 2022 or the PANIC Act of 2022</b></p> <p>This bill expands the definition of <i>major illicit drug producing country</i> to include a country that is a significant direct source of certain drugs (or precursor chemicals for producing such drugs) that are significantly affecting the United States. The bill also expands the definition of <i>major drug-transit country</i> to include countries through which certain synthetic drugs are transported.</p> <p>(Under current law, a country designated a <i>major illicit drug producing country</i> or <i>major drug-transit country </i>may be eligible for certain U.S. foreign assistance, including transfers of excess defense articles. However, a designated country that fails to adhere to commitments related to drug control measures may be barred from receiving other forms of foreign assistance and may also be subject to trade restrictions.)</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5234 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 12, 2022 Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Mr. Cardin ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To modify statutory definitions relating to narcotics and drug trafficking, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting America from Narcotics and Illicit Chemicals Act of 2022 or the PANIC Act of 2022 . 2. Definition of major illicit drug producing country Section 481(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2291(e) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ; or ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (E) that is a significant direct source of covered synthetic drugs or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, including precursor chemicals when those chemicals are used in the production of such drugs and substances, significantly affecting the United States; ; (2) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: (5) the term major drug-transit country means a country through which are transported covered synthetic drugs or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances significantly affecting the United States; ; (3) in paragraph (7), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; (4) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (9) the term covered synthetic drug has the meaning given that term in section 5558 of the FENTANYL Results Act . .