Senate Eyes Breakthrough on Lynch Vote, Trafficking Bill

The Senate is inching toward a deal to resolve a month-long dispute that’s halted a human trafficking bill and confirmation of attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch, even as Minority Leader Harry Reid on Monday resumed his rhetorical attacks on Republicans for the delay.
Top sources in both parties — and even Reid himself — said negotiators had made headway toward a compromise on abortion language included in the sexual trafficking bill that Democrats have strongly opposed. “I’m pretty optimistic we’re going to get to where we need to be on this,” said one GOP aide on Monday afternoon. Still, any public public announcement of a deal may have to wait until Tuesday, when Democrats and Republicans meet as a caucus for the first time this week.