Hours before the Senate approved a stopgap bill Friday to avoid a government shutdown, the upper chamber passed a bipartisan bill that permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 narcotics before their temporary status expired March 31.

The Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act passed by an 84-16 margin, with all 16 no votes coming from Democrats. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is similar to legislation that was overwhelmingly passed by the House in 2023 but languished in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

The HALT Act now moves to the GOP-controlled House, and the White House Office of Management and Budget indicated in a statement of administration policy that President Donald Trump will sign the legislation should it reach his desk.

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