Senate

No clear path on anti-trafficking bill ahead of vote

by Jordain Carney - 03/16/15 7:50 PM ET

Senators swapped blame Monday over an anti-trafficking bill, but made no visible progress on how to overcome an abortion fight that has stalled the legislation.

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which would bolster resources for law enforcement and victims, has been stuck in the Senate since early last week.

{mosads}Senators are expected to take a procedural vote Tuesday morning, after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) filed cloture Thursday on the anti-trafficking bill, as well as an amendment to the bill.

Democrats are expected to block the legislation over the inclusion of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used on abortions.

Democrats want Republicans to strip out the abortion-related language and have suggested they were misled on its inclusion in the legislation.

Republicans, however, have denied any wrongdoing. They say Democrats either failed to read the legislation before it passed unanimously out of the Judiciary Committee or are using the anti-trafficking proposal to pick a political fight.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said if Democrats are going to block the anti-trafficking legislation, they should come to the Senate floor and “talk nonstop.”

“If you do vote against cloture, you’re saying you want to debate this bill more before a vote is taken. In that case, you’d better put your money where your mouth is,” he said. “I expect to see you come down to the Senate floor and talk nonstop.”

In the past, a filibuster required a senator to speak continuously from the Senate floor if they wanted to block a bill from moving forward. Now, 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who introduced the legislation, said that in order to overcome Tuesday’s procedural hurdle Republicans will need “six brave Democrats.”

Tags Chuck Grassley John Cornyn Mitch McConnell