WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, on Tuesday took procedural steps aimed at bringing a debate on a fast-track trade bill to a close, moving the controversial bill a step closer to a vote on passage.

McConnell's move was aimed at limiting debate on the legislation President Barack Obama wants to help him complete negotiations on a 12-country Pacific Rim trade pact.

"It is my hope that we would be able to process a number of amendments ... and then move forward and we'll have a couple of days to accomplish that," McConnell said.

(Reporting by Krista Hughes and Richard Cowan; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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