Lawmakers Agree to Extend Fentanyl Ban, Displeasing Both Parties

Congressional leaders are pushing to extend a ban on highly addictive fentanyl analogs, with the promise lawmakers will then turn to finding a permanent solution to the overdose epidemic.

A House-passed six-month extension of the ban, which expires May 6, left members of both parties unhappy. Republicans want to make permanent the government’s power to classify fentanyl-like drugs among the most-controlled substances. Democrats say the policy is an extension of the war on drugs, which disproportionately hits communities of color.

The House passed the extension (H.R. 2630) by voice vote Wednesday. The Senate is slated to debate a ...