H.R. 2538 would authorize appropriations over the 2022-2026 period for Department of State programs to reduce international trafficking in drugs. It would authorize appropriations of $4 million each year to build the capacity of foreign law enforcement agencies to detect and track synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. It also would authorize appropriations of $1 million each year for an international exchange program for professionals working to reduce the illicit use of drugs. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2538 would cost a total of $12 million over the 2021-2026 period. The remainder of the $25 million in authorized appropriations would be spent after 2026. Such spending would be subject to the appropriation of the specified amounts.
