H.R. 8535: Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act
Sponsor
James Walkinshaw
Democrat · VA-11
Congress wants proof DHS is tracking fentanyl
Why it matters
H.R. 8535 gives DHS 1 year to build department-wide fentanyl metrics and identify data-sharing gaps, turning a broad enforcement priority into something Congress can actually measure.
H.R. 8535 does not create new crimes, new border powers, or new penalties for you—it tells DHS to measure its anti-fentanyl work and share data across the department within 1 year.
Right now, the bill says, DHS components involved in detecting, deterring, and seizing illicit fentanyl should not be working in isolation. The Secretary of Homeland Security would have to make sure those offices share relevant information with each other, as practicable, and identify what is blocking that flow of data.
The other major change is performance tracking. DHS would have to set fentanyl-related metrics for the department as a whole and for each component, so Congress can compare effort to results instead of relying on broad rhetoric. Those metrics also have to line up with DHS's broader anti-fentanyl goals.
There is no money attached in the bill text, and no direct new requirement for private citizens. The practical effect is internal: if H.R. 8535 becomes law, DHS would have a 1-year clock to define success, spot its own blind spots, and report progress in a more consistent way.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jul 14, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
H.R. 8535 Bill Summary
What H.R. 8535 actually does.
DHS gets a 1-year deadline
The Secretary of Homeland Security would have 1 year after enactment to complete the bill's fentanyl coordination and measurement requirements.
Fentanyl data has to move across DHS
DHS components involved in detecting, deterring, and seizing illicit fentanyl would have to collaborate and share relevant information and data with other components involved in that work or in measuring it, as practicable.
DHS must identify what blocks information sharing
The Secretary would have to identify barriers that keep fentanyl-related information and data from being shared across the department.
Every relevant DHS office gets measured
The bill requires performance metrics for DHS as a whole and for each component involved in fentanyl detection, deterrence, and seizure.
The metrics must match DHS strategy
The performance measures cannot stand alone; they have to align with DHS strategic objectives and goals related to combating illicit fentanyl trafficking.
Who benefits from H.R. 8535?
Congress and oversight staff watching DHS
They would get a clearer yardstick within 1 year for whether DHS components are coordinating and whether anti-fentanyl efforts are producing measurable results.
DHS teams working the fentanyl mission
Staff across customs, investigations, intelligence, and other relevant offices could end up with clearer expectations and better access to information from other DHS components.
Communities affected by fentanyl trafficking
Any benefit is indirect, but the bill is designed to make DHS operations more coordinated and easier to evaluate if fentanyl trafficking remains a major public safety concern.
Who is affected by H.R. 8535?
The Secretary of Homeland Security
The Secretary is responsible for making the system work—sharing data, identifying barriers, and setting department-wide and component-level metrics within 1 year.
DHS components involved in fentanyl enforcement
These offices would have to share more information with each other and operate under common performance measures tied to DHS strategy.
DHS analysts, planners, and data teams
They would likely do much of the implementation work, from defining the metrics to tracking results and flagging data gaps.
Private citizens
The bill does not impose new penalties, reporting duties, or direct legal obligations on the public.
HR8535 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Jul 14, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
House: Vote Held
Jul 13, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4398)
House: Vote: 30-0
Jun 24, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.
House: Committee Action
Apr 28, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
House: Committee Action
Apr 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
About the Sponsor
James Walkinshaw
Democrat, Virginia's 11st congressional district · 1 years in Congress
Committees: Homeland Security, Oversight and Government Reform
View full profile →
Cosponsors (3)
This bill has 3 cosponsors: 1 Democrat, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 3 states: California, Mississippi, Texas.
Committee Sponsors
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
0 of 15 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Homeland Security Committee
3 of 33 committee members cosponsored
21 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 8535 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Apr 27, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Jul 14, 2026
Official Sources
Official legislative status page for the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, including actions, text, and related bill information.
CBP is a major DHS component involved in detecting and seizing illicit fentanyl, making its seizure data relevant to the bill's measurement requirements.
GAO oversight on DHS management and coordination provides authoritative context for the bill's focus on internal information-sharing barriers and measurable performance.
H.R. 8535 Common Questions
What would H.R. 8535 actually make DHS do?
It would make DHS share fentanyl-related information across components, identify data-sharing barriers, and create performance metrics for the department and each relevant office.
How long would DHS have to comply?
H.R. 8535 gives the Secretary of Homeland Security 1 year after enactment to complete the bill's coordination and metrics requirements.
Does H.R. 8535 create new criminal penalties?
No. H.R. 8535 is an internal DHS management bill. It does not create new crimes, sentencing changes, or direct penalties for the public.
Would every DHS component get fentanyl metrics?
Every DHS component involved in detecting, deterring, or seizing illicit fentanyl would be covered. The bill requires metrics for DHS overall and for each relevant component.
Does the bill require DHS offices to share fentanyl data with each other?
Yes. H.R. 8535 says relevant DHS components must collaborate and share information and data with other DHS components involved in fentanyl enforcement or measuring it, as practicable.
What happens if DHS data systems are not working together?
The bill says DHS must identify barriers to sharing fentanyl-related information and data. It does not spell out a specific penalty if those barriers remain.
Does H.R. 8535 give DHS new border powers?
No. The bill focuses on coordination and measurement inside DHS, not new search authority, detention authority, or border enforcement powers.
Has H.R. 8535 moved beyond the House?
Yes. According to the latest action provided here, H.R. 8535 was received in the Senate and referred to the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Based on H.R. 8535 bill text
H.R. 8535 Bill Text
“To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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