The Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation aimed at curbing human trafficking, ending a month-long fight over abortion.
The legislation, which was approved 99-0, would create a special fund to help victims of sex crimes. But it was the bill’s language on abortion that received the lion’s share of attention in a floor battle that began in March.
Senate Democrats repeatedly blocked an earlier version of the proposal, arguing it would expand the Hyde Amendment, which restricts the use of federal funds for abortions.
{mosads}Republicans claimed the bill’s passage as a victory, arguing that it shows the party’s ability to govern.
“This bipartisan compromise is just the latest in a series of major successes in the early days of this Republican-led Senate,” Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said after the vote Wednesday.
The deal that resolved the stalemate requires money for the victims’ fund to come from two sources: criminal fines and money that Congress previously appropriated
Republicans shot down a last-ditch effort by Democrats to strip the abortion provisions from the legislation, which, if successful, would have likely killed the bill. That effort, led by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), was ultimately blocked by fellow Democratic Sens. Bob Casey (Pa.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.).
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was the only senator not present for the vote. Read more here.
A BIPARTISAN VOTE ON OBAMACARE?: A bipartisan bill to help health insurance companies avoid fees under ObamaCare is now backed by a majority of House lawmakers, its sponsors announced Wednesday.
Reps. Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-La.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) announced Wednesday that their bill has hit 218 co-sponsors, which they hope will quickly lead to a full House vote.
The bill would repeal an ObamaCare provision commonly called the “health insurance tax” (HIT), which charges insurers an annual fee to help pay for the healthcare law.
The bill has six Democratic co-sponsors, including Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.), who is running for Senate. Read more here.
ANTI-ABORTION GROUPS SAY IT’S TIME FOR HOUSE VOTE: A coalition of anti-abortion advocates are pressuring House leadership to bring back a controversial bill that would ban late-term abortions.
“A vote on this popular, modest bill will serve as a benchmark as to whether the House GOP is serious about protecting unborn babies and women,” the groups wrote in a letter to House leadership.
Momentum for the legislation has surged in recent weeks and one top House Republican, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), said Wednesday that he expects Congress to reconsider the legislation “relatively soon,” following debates on Iran and the budget.
Cole said the bill’s authors have found language to satisfy Republicans such as Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) who had previously opposed the legislation. “I’m told that the language they’re considering seems to be receiving widespread approval,” Cole said. Read more here.
Thursday’s schedule
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell will testify before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the department’s budget.
The Senate Finance Committee’s health subcommittee holds a hearing on the medical device tax.
State by state
Tennessee, Kansas also get warning to expand Medicaid or risk losing health funds
Brownback health insurance tax hits trouble in Kansas Legislature amid Aetna opposition
Ohio lawmakers want Medicaid recipients to help pay for care
What we’re reading
Health law brings growth to food stamps
CDC eyeing bird flu vaccines for humans
Another study debunks link between autism and MMR vaccine
Ebola survivors urged to abstain from sex indefinitely due to newfound risk
What you might have missed from The Hill
Biden takes shot at Senate during surgeon general swearing-in
GAO investigates security incidents at Healthcare.gov
Gingrich to GOP: ‘Irresponsible‘ not to increase NIH funding
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