A bill that would preempt state GMO labeling laws was blocked in the Senate as key Democrats demanded more concessions from the food industry on proposed new disclosure requirements for biotech ingredients.

 

“This is a pretty simple vote. You're either for agriculture or you're not,” Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said before the cloture vote today.

 

The appeal fell flat. Roberts didn't reach an agreement before the vote with his committee's top Democrat, Debbie Stabenow, on the disclosure provisions, and he was unable to get the 60 votes necessary to advance the bill. The cloture motion failed, 48-49.

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell switched his vote to "no" on the cloture motion, which will allow him to bring up the legislation at any time should Roberts strike a deal.

 

Six other Republicans voted against the motion, while just three Democrats supported it. Industry officials, however, were braced for a big loss on the cloture motion if it took place before Roberts and Stabenow had reached a deal.

 

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