The issue focused on the federal government's ability to control states' laws and budget.

Banks was one of three Republican lawmakers who joined with Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., in asking for a vote on the Senate floor. The other two were Dan Coats, R-Ind., and Tom Coburn, R-Okla.

"We have some hard questions about what we would do if we had an opportunity to ask them," said Sen. Rob Portman,