The New York Times: It Took Quite a Push, but McConnell Finally Allows Criminal Justice Vote

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Holly Harris, the executive director of Justice Action Network, a main advocacy group behind the measure and a Kentuckian herself, said she always believed that Mr. McConnell would put the legislation on the floor once his conditions were met. Securing the backing of Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, was critical, she added.

“The public call for a vote was overwhelming, the president was leaning in, and I do think the Cruz endorsement was a turning point,” Ms. Harris said. “He had long been part of a small group opposed to the bill, and when he flipped, the dominoes fell and the leader stepped in.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/13/us/politics/mitch-mcconnell-criminal-justice-vote.html