Senate

Wednesday: Trade, research

by Jordain Carney - 05/20/15 9:42 AM ET

The Senate on Wednesday is trying to find a way forward on allowing more amendment votes ahead of a procedural vote on “fast track” trade legislation.

The amendment process on the trade legislation appeared to hit a hurdle Tuesday evening, when Democrats blocked Sen. Orrin Hatch from scheduling additional amendment votes after the Utah Republican declined to include a measure blocking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) from filing cloture until Wednesday.

{mosads}Instead, McConnell moved to end debate on Tuesday night, setting up a procedural vote on the trade legislation, which would allow the president to get his trade deals approved by Congress by a simple majority vote, for Thursday morning.

Democrats slammed the Kentucky Republican, suggesting that he isn’t allowing for an “open” amendment process on the trade bill. But, McConell tried to preempt some of that criticism, saying that “it is my hope that we would be able to process a number of amendments … and then move forward, and we’ll have a couple of days to accomplish that.”

Votes on amendments aren’t currently scheduled for Wednesday, but senators could bring up measures through out the day.

Meanwhile, the House is expected to take up a science research bill that has garnered a veto threat from the White House.

The administration said that the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act “would undermine critical investments in science, technology, and research.”

The House convenes will convene at 10 a.m. for morning hour, and 12 p.m. for legislative business. First votes expected between 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m., with last votes between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tags Mitch McConnell Orrin Hatch