GOP backing down from threat to block Schumer's China bill
By Jordain Carney - 05/26/21 01:03 PM EDT
enate Republicans appear to be backing down from a threat to block legislation aimed at combating China’s competitiveness.
The bill, a top priority of Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), was garnering threats from top Republicans that they would block the bill from getting the 60 votes needed to advance and ultimately pass amid frustration about the slow pace of amendment votes.
But a handful of amendments happening Tuesday night, and more expected on Wednesday and Thursday, appears to be alleviating some of the pressure and helping clear a path for the bill.
“I think if we get another half a dozen amendments today at some point our folks will have sufficiently scratched the itch when it comes to getting amendment votes,” said Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican.
Thune’s remarks are a shift from Tuesday, when he was predicting that the bill was poised to be filibustered as things currently stood.
A second senior GOP senator said they expect the additional amendment votes will allow the bill to pass, likely on Thursday.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/555542-gop-backing-down-from-threat-to-block-schumers-china-bill
