The FASD Respect Act has been included in a larger public health bill as an amendment; will be debated by full Senate.
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) has submitted an amendment to S.331, the HALT Fentanyl Act, incorporating FASD Respect Act provisions into the larger bill. Senate Amendment 1232 is one of six submitted amendments for the HALT Fentanyl Act, and debate on these amendments could begin as soon as this afternoon (Monday, March 10th after 5:30 pm Eastern). Also included in this amendment is reauthorization for the SUPPORT Act.
The HALT Fentanyl Act was introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), in January of 2025. During the 118th Congress, Senator Cassidy included the FASD Respect Act in the SUPPORT Reauthorization Act, which went on to pass through the Senate HELP Committee.
How Did This Happen?
This is a direct result of the work done by advocates across the country, spanning multiple sessions of Congress. Change cannot happen without awareness, and your tireless and focused advocacy has led to FASD being included in broader conversations about public health; here’s how:
- During the 118th Congress, the FASD Respect Act successfully passed through the Senate HELP Committee as part of the SUPPORT Reauthorization Act, but this was never voted on by the full Senate.
- Key Takeaway: FASD Respect Act language approved by a Senate committee.
- Prior to end of 118th Congress, the FASD Respect Act was included in a year-end continuing resolution in the House of Representatives. This was once again approved by the committee of jurisdiction but not voted on by the full House.
- Key Takeaway: FASD Respect Act language approved by another committee. Although this continuing resolution package was not voted on by the full House, it was agreed to by leadership from both parties. This shows Congress that this is a bipartisan bill addressing a non-partisan issue.
What’s Next
Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of S. 331: a Senator will make a motion to continue considering the bill. This is mostly a procedural formality, but Senators could filibuster if they do not want the bill to be debated. Bypassing a filibuster attempt requires a cloture vote, or a YEA vote from sixty Senators.
…and vote on adoption of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill: The Senate will decide whether they want to begin debating the bill and submitted amendments. This usually requires a simple majority.
The Senate could resume this process as early as this afternoon, according to the Congressional Record. If you are interested in watching the proceedings, you can watch here. The Congressional Record from March 6th states that consideration of S.331 may resume on March 10th following debate on the nomination of a Cabinet member.
Key Terms
Amendment: A proposed change to a pending text (e.g., a bill, resolution, another amendment, or a treaty [or an associated resolution of ratification]).
Cloture: The method by which a supermajority (typically, three-fifths) of the Senate may agree to limit further debate and consideration of a question (e.g., a bill, amendment, or other matter). Details of the procedural process are provided for in Rule XXII of the Senate standing rules.
Continuing Resolution (continuing appropriation): An appropriations act (typically in the form of a joint resolution) that provides stop-gap (or full-year) funds for federal agencies and programs to continue operations when the regular (or annual) appropriations acts have not been enacted by the beginning of the fiscal year.
Proposed/offered Senate amendment: A Senate amendment is proposed or offered when a Senator has been recognized by the presiding officer, sends his/her amendment to the desk (or identifies an amendment already at the desk), and the amendment is read by the clerk. The amendment becomes pending before the Senate and remains pending until disposed of by the Senate. Occasionally the term “called up” is used in lieu of “proposed” or “offered.”
Submitted Senate amendment: An amendment is submitted when a senator files his/her amendment at the desk with the clerk for possible future consideration by the Senate. A submitted amendment is not pending until it is formally proposed/offered by a senator. The term “filed” is sometimes used in lieu of “submitted.”
