According to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Senate plans to work on appropriations bills and judicial nominations in the final two weeks of August and will then turn their attention to a bipartisan measure to address the opioid crisis after Labor Day.
McConnell said Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) is still negotiating a giant draft legislative package and leadership is trying to clear the bill for floor time as soon as a final deal is reached. It’s still possible a deal could be reached before the Labor Day weekend.
The House approved its opioid package in June. Even if the Senate passes its bill in the next few weeks, lawmakers aren’t expected to conference the tow bills until after the midterm elections.
