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In a tense drama that unfolded in real time on the Senate floor Thursday, Cantwell withheld her vote to move forward on the trade legislation until she received assurances from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that the Senate would vote on renewing the Export-Import Bank. The trade legislation is a top Obama priority as it would allow him to get trade deals through Congress without amendment and pave the way for a landmark pact with Asian nations. Afterward, Cantwell said in an interview that she was determined to ensure a future for the Export-Import Bank in the face of threats from House conservatives who view it as corporate welfare and have vowed to kill it. "The fact that these guys wouldn't make a commitment to that was very frustrating, so we wanted to make the point that we weren't willing to continue the trade debate until they gave us that commitment," said Cantwell, 56, who made millions at a software firm before her election to the Senate in 2000 and is known for her intensity and persistence.