They were busy trying to make political hay with the Dubai port deal.
The Dubai turned the tables on them and withdrew the deal, leaving Schumer with no senate vote to brag about. Dingy Harry and Dick Durbin held a news conference demanding the vote, and the deal was already off but they still wanted a "show" vote.
"This is an unxeptected move by the Trade Federation..." SW episode I--just for fun...I couldn't resist
This certainly lessens the sting, but they've already made a big noise, and that can go a long way just like misleading headlines. It may be false, and much ado about nothing, but as it goes, say something often and loud enough and it becomes true