The charged politics of abortion have returned with a vengeance in the Senate, creating a bitter impasse over a human trafficking bill that has galvanized outside groups ahead of the 2016 elections.

Senators for two weeks have debated a provision in an anti-trafficking bill that Democrats charge would expand the Hyde Amendment, which for decades has restricted the use of federal funds for abortions.

The debate over the provision has been unusually rancorous, with Democrats accusing Republicans of misleading them about whether the language was in the bill.

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Republicans have denied that charge, and at least one Democratic staffer has admitted knowing the provision was in the legislation.

The war of words has spilled over onto the floor of the Senate, with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE (R-Ky.) accusing Democrats of backing “left-wing lobbyists” over the victims of “modern slavery.”

Minority Leader Harry Reid Harry Mason ReidGraham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year Trump signals he will move to replace Ginsburg 'without delay' Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden MORE (D-Nev.), meanwhile, has suggested Republicans used “a sleight of hand” to “manufacture a political fight.”

Democrats argue the abortion provision would represent an expansion of the Hyde Amendment because it would apply to a fund for victims of human trafficking that would be paid for through criminal fines. That would be different, they say, from a prohibition on the use of federal tax dollars.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinMcConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts MORE (D-Calif.) defended the Democratic resistance to the bill and said getting the Hyde Amendment removed would be “one small step for womankind.”

“It is one battle we can win,” she said. “And we have had loss after loss after loss.”

No matter what happens to the bill, the debate has brought into sharp focus the outsized role abortion will play in the 2016 election cycle, when the White House and the Senate will be up for grabs.

Both parties are well aware of the stakes. With four of the high court justices in or nearing their 80s, the next president will likely get to appoint multiple members of the Supreme Court, potentially reopening the fight over the Roe V. Wade decision that abortion opponents have fought for decades to reverse.

Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE, the likely Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, has seized on the Senate battle, accusing Republicans in a tweet of “playing politics with trafficking victims” and threatening women’s rights.

By weighing in on the fight, Clinton positioned herself against some of her potential Republican rivals for the White House: Sens. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Florida senators pushing to keep Daylight Savings Time during pandemic Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll MORE (R-Fla.), Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.), and Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Democrat on Graham video urging people to 'use my words against me': 'Done' MORE (R-Texas), who have all voted for the anti-trafficking legislation.

Outside groups are also coming off the sidelines.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is making robocalls against five Democratic senators who are up for reelection in 2016: Reid, a top GOP target, as well as Sens. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE (Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal Hillicon Valley: TikTok, Oracle seek Trump's approval as clock winds down | Hackers arrested for allegedly defacing U.S. websites after death of Iranian general | 400K people register to vote on Snapchat MORE (Ore.) and Patty Murray Patricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayTrump health officials grilled over reports of politics in COVID-19 response CDC director pushes back on Caputo claim of 'resistance unit' at agency The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (Wash.).

NRSC Spokesperson Matt Connelly accused them of “playing politics” with the trafficking bill and pledged to “hold them accountable for that.”

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Justin Barasky fired back, saying, “voters will remember these kinds of despicable political games come 2016.”

Susan B. Anthony List (SBA), which opposes abortion rights and has been active in the fight over the trafficking bill, said the debate in the Senate shows Democrats “will stop at nothing” to prevent restrictions on abortion.

“Democrats are doubling down to their commitment to abortion on demand,” said SBA communications director Mallory Quigley. “Voters are certainly paying attention to it. …[It’s] lit up our grassroots.”

Marcy Stech, the national press secretary for the pro-abortion rights EMILY’s List, said the trafficking fight helps draw a “strong contrast” between the two parties heading into 2016, as Republicans “continue to push for an extreme agenda.”

“This looks bad for Republicans. ... Voters are paying attention,” Stech said. “[It’s] going to continue to plague them.”

Abortion politics are also creeping into the debate over the House’s “doc fix” bill, which would repeal Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) to prevent payment cuts to doctors.

Wyden warned Thursday that the draft bill contains a “rider” that would restrict abortions at government-run community health centers — something that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) office argues is already in place under federal law.

While it’s unclear whether that issue will impact the Medicare talks, the House has already had one dust-up over abortion this year — but the split was among Republicans.

In January, the House was forced to abandon a once-popular bill banning late-term abortions. Several Republicans, including Reps. Renee Ellmers (N.C.) and Jackie Walorski (Ind.), threatened to vote against the bill because exception for rape would only apply to women who reported the crime to police.

The shelving of the bill was an embarrassment for House Republicans and for anti-abortion groups, who were in the middle of their annual “March for Life” in Washington.

Several of the anti-abortion groups have threatened to turn their grassroots army against the Republicans who balked at the bill in the next elections.

“I believe in political retribution, otherwise you might as well close up shop,” SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser told The Hill in January.

— Sarah Ferris contributed.