Nitazene Sanctions Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 3080 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 3080 To amend the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to address nitazene trafficking and to impose sanctions with respect to entities of the People's Republic of China and foreign governments engaged in or contributing to opioid trafficking, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 30, 2025 Mr. Ricketts (for himself, Mr. Schmitt, and Mr. McCormick) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to address nitazene trafficking and to impose sanctions with respect to entities of the People's Republic of China and foreign governments engaged in or contributing to opioid trafficking, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Nitazene Sanctions Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) 2-Benzylbenzimidazole opioids (also known as nitazenes) are a class of synthetic opioids first synthesized in the 1950s that exhibit significant potency at the mu-opioid receptor, with some substances exceeding the potency of fentanyl. (2) Unlike opium, 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids and other synthetic opioids can be produced anywhere in the world using precursor chemicals that are often uncontrolled and widely available. (3) Chemical manufacturing companies in the People's Republic of China can synthesize 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid precursors at a scale using a comparatively easy 3- or 4-step process. (4) The Drug Enforcement Administration has warned that Mexican cartels could use their existi