05.20.15

McConnell Calls For Bipartisan Cooperation, Additional Trade Amendments

‘While I will be filing cloture on the bill this evening, that’s not the end of the story: the bill managers will continue working together to get more amendments available for a vote before the cloture vote.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding bipartisan trade legislation:

“We have been working in good faith over the last several days to set up debate and votes on amendments from both sides of the aisle.

“We’ve had some success. The bill managers, Sens. Hatch and Wyden worked together on the votes we’ve had, and so far have worked to get an additional seven amendments pending.

“Sadly, there has been an objection from the other side of the aisle to getting additional amendments pending, regardless of which party offers the amendment.

“The Senate can’t move forward on amendments if there continues to be objections. This is a body that requires cooperation, and that cooperation has not been there for this bipartisan bill.

“While I will be filing cloture on the bill this evening, that’s not the end of the story: the bill managers will continue working together to get more amendments available for a vote before the cloture vote.

“And with just a little cooperation from our friends on the other side of the aisle, we can get that done.”

Related Issues: Trade Promotion Authority, Restoring the Senate, Jobs, Free Trade