Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, has blocked an attempt by Democrats to pass a temporary extension for the classification of fentanyl-related substances. The proposed legislation sought to extend the class-wide scheduling of these substances temporarily, which is set to expire at the end of March.

Cassidy's actions were in support of the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan bill he introduced alongside Senators Chuck Grassley and Martin Heinrich. The HALT Fentanyl Act aims to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances permanent.

"For years, Congress has failed to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances permanent," Cassidy stated. "Our law enforcement cannot continue to have this uncertainty."

The HALT Fentanyl Act passed the House with strong bipartisan support earlier this month. However, Senate Democrats have blocked its passage on the Senate floor.

"This Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee...is marking up the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act," Cassidy said. "This legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances."

Cassidy expressed concern over delays in making this classification permanent and emphasized that temporary extensions create uncertainty for law enforcement.

"My Democrat colleague’s delays that permanency," he noted. "Schedule I classification will once again be in jeopardy when the next deadline comes around."

He urged his colleagues to support the HALT Fentanyl Act, highlighting its previous success in passing through Congress with bipartisan backing.

"We have a responsibility to provide law enforcement the tools they need to address the scourge of deadly drugs in our communities," Cassidy concluded.