Newhouse Leads Bipartisan Legislation Establishing Federal Fentanyl Joint Taskforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025 to establish a coordinated federal task force to combat the trafficking of synthetic narcotics like fentanyl.

“The CCP is the leading force behind the fentanyl crisis, and the United States is failing to respond while they profit from the loss of American lives,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Newhouse continues, “This Joint Taskforce will pool resources across the federal government and respond to this crisis with everything from sanctions to joint drug raids to keep this deadly substance out of our communities. This task force will help President Trump and his administration accomplish his goal of stopping the flow of fentanyl from China across our northern and southern borders.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate today by Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA).

“Fentanyl killed nearly 4,000 Pennsylvanians last year and over 200 Americans each day,” Senator McCormick said. “This legislation would empower our federal government to coordinate all the tools at its disposal to combat the trafficking of lethal fentanyl that is ruining American families. I’ve heard from too many families who have lost their loved ones to fentanyl overdoses, I refuse to allow it to continue.”

Newhouse was joined by House Select Committee on the CCP Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Ro Khana (D-CA), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), and Richie Torres (D-NY) in introducing the legislation. 

Chairman Moolenaar said, “The Chinese Communist Party has deliberately funded the production of fentanyl chemicals, which are sold to cartels and trafficked into the U.S., killing Americans. This legislation builds on the bipartisan Select Committee’s report from last year and will unite government agencies to disrupt trafficking networks and impose sanctions on those poisoning our country. This is a critical step to hold China accountable and protect American lives from this deadly crisis.”

Rep. Krishnamoorthi said, “The bipartisan Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act is critical to tackling the deadly flow of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs that are devastating communities across our country. By strengthening coordination between law enforcement and intelligence agencies, this bipartisan bill will help us crack down on transnational criminal networks and protect American families from this ongoing crisis.”

Rep. Johnson said, “China has been flooding our nation with fentanyl for years, profiting on the destruction and poisoning of American lives. Getting tough on China includes cracking down on their money-making fentanyl scheme, which is devastating American families. I’m proud to support this legislation to help make America safe and healthy again.”

Rep. Khana said, “Fentanyl has taken too many loved ones and devastated communities across America. I am proud to support the bipartisan Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act to ensure there is interagency coordination to address the CCP’s role in international trafficking networks and keep Americans safe.”

Rep. Dunn said, “For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party has targeted American civilians by fueling our country’s opioid epidemic. We must take swift action to protect the American public and hold the CCP accountable for brazenly pushing illicit narcotics in the United States. I am proud to be part of this unified response to CCP aggression and look forward to playing an active role in passing this overwhelmingly bipartisan bill.”

Rep. Auchincloss said, “The U.S. government must take decisive action at every link of the illegal synthetic narcotic supply chain, beginning with China. This Task Force would provide a coordinated framework to hold bad actors accountable for the state-sanctioned poisoning of Americans.”

The task force will task representatives from relevant federal agencies to conduct joint operations, disrupt trafficking networks, and enforce sanctions. It will focus on international and domestic coordination, including addressing the role of the People’s Republic of China in the opioid crisis. The task force aims to streamline interagency collaboration, enhance legal enforcement, and report regularly to Congress.

Full bill text can be found here.

###