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President Trump on Monday urged the Republican-led Senate to pass legislation intended to crack down on shipments of illicit fentanyl through the international postal system, writing on Twitter: “No more delay!” Leaders from both chambers announced a bipartisan agreement in June on the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act, which the House passed shortly thereafter. The Senate has yet to act on the bill, as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has focused on confirming federal judges and passing appropriations bills. (Wagner and Somnez, 8/20)

The bipartisan bill passed the House in June, but has not been taken up in the Senate. The Senate hoped to vote on a package aimed at addressing the opioid crisis by Labor Day, but that is becoming unlikely as it deals with a Supreme Court nominee and other priorities. "The leader had an event on opioids just last week. It’s a priority for the Leader and the relevant chairman are working on a time agreement to bring it to the floor," said Don Stewart, the deputy chief of staff for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), referring to the Senate's opioids package. (Hellmann and Fabian, 8/20)

Powerful lobbying groups are pushing back against a House-passed bill intended to address the growing opioid epidemic. America's Health Insurance Plans led eight industry groups in a letter to Senate leadership Monday, asking that they oppose a provision in the House measure. (Hellmann, 8/20)