Senate passes trafficking bill, clearing way for AG nomination vote

After weeks of delays and partisan squabbling, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill to combat human trafficking.

The legislation passed 99-0, with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) the lone member to miss the vote. The bill stalled earlier this year as Democrats sought to weaken anti-abortion language they deemed extraneous, though lawmakers finally reached a compromise Tuesday to ensure bipartisan support for the measure.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) refused to hold a confirmation vote for attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch until the Senate dealt with the trafficking bill. The upper chamber is slated to begin debate on that long-awaited vote Thursday.

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