Monday: Opioid vote, Iran

by Jordain Carney - 02/29/16 11:07 AM ET

The Senate will take an initial procedural vote on bipartisan legislation to crackdown on a growing epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse.

Senators are expected to vote at 5:30 p.m. on ending debate on taking up the legislation from Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

{mosads}The bill would authorize—but not appropriate—funding for programs to combat prescription drug and heroin abuse, in addition to increasing the availability of naloxone, a drug to treat overdose.

But Democrats want to add hundreds of millions in emergency funding, which they argue is necessary to get help quickly to communities struggling to combat the opioid epidemic.

While top Democrats have suggested that their caucus wants to help tackle drug abuse, they’ve also remained tightlipped about if they’re willing to sink the broader legislation if they can’t get a vote on the extra money.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said late last week that he was “hopeful” senators could get a deal that would guarantee votes on a handful of amendments and smooth the legislation’s path to final passage.

Meanwhile, the House will take up nine pieces of legislation under suspension of the rules, including a proposal calling on Iran to to assist with the case of Robert Levinson, a retired FBI agent who disappeared in 2007.

Votes in the House are expected at 6:30 p.m.

Tags Mitch McConnell Rob Portman Sheldon Whitehouse