A bill to strengthen laws against sex trafficking passed the NY State Assembly unanimously yesterday.

UPDATE: APRIL 22 The U.S. Senate Bill to provide justice for victims of sex trafficking passed today (99-0) with a compromise to divide the victims’ compensation fund into two separate parts: one part would pay for law enforcement services and shelters, but not medical services; money for medical services for the victims would be segregated into another fund furnished by taxpayer money. This fund would be subject to the Hyde Amendment federal restrictions on abortion funding. Sens. Schumer and Gillebrand voted for the bill.

But things did not go so well for sex trafficking legislation on the federal level in Washington, D.C.

Today Senate Democrats blocked a vote on a bill to help victims of sex trafficking because it would not allow a proposed victims’ compensation fund to be used to pay for abortions.

The vote was 55-43, with both senators from New York, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillebrand voting to block debate on the bill.

Further votes to break the Democratic filibuster are expected this week.

Read more about it here.