S. 5234 – PANIC Act of 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:42 PM UTC

The PANIC Act of 2022 updates U.S. drug‑related statutes to broaden how foreign countries are classified in drug‑trafficking programs. It adds synthetic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursor chemicals to the definitions of a “major illicit drug‑producing country” and a “major drug‑transit country.” The changes affect how the United States designates and assists foreign nations under the Foreign Assistance Act, targeting nations that significantly supply or move these substances into the U.S.

Key Provisions

Amends the definition of a “major illicit drug‑producing country” to include nations that are a significant direct source of covered synthetic drugs, psychotropic drugs, or related precursor chemicals that affect the United States
Rewrites the definition of a “major drug‑transit country” to cover countries through which covered synthetic drugs, psychotropic drugs, or other controlled substances are transported and significantly affect the United States
Adds a definition for “covered synthetic drug” by referencing the definition in section 5558 of the Fentanyl Results Act

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S7103-7104)

Foreign Relations Committee

December 12, 2022

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

December 12, 2022

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S7103-7104)

Foreign Relations Committee

December 12, 2022

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 5234 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. John CornynR-TX · Dec 12, 2022

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print my bill for introduction in the Congressional Record. The bill provides for a primary prevention research agenda and workforce. Mr. President, I ask…

Sen. John CornynR-TX · Dec 12, 2022

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print my bill for introduction in the Congressional Record. The bill modifies statutory definitions relating to narcotics and drug trafficking.

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued December 12, 2022

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.

.