Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he would likely block a vote on a bipartisan bill that would protect special counsel Robert Mueller and his Russia investigation.

The Kentucky Republican told reporters that if senators tried to bring up the bill — co-sponsored by Republican Jeff Flake of Arizona and Democrat Chris Coons of Delaware — for a quick vote, he would reject it.

McConnell’s rejection of the measure came just hours after Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas said there was a chance the Senate would vote on protecting Mueller.

Backers said quick action was necessary in the wake of President Trump’s appointment of Mueller critic Mathew Whitaker as acting attorney general.

Cornyn said a vote could be the price that needs to be paid to get Trump’s judicial nominations approved.

Flake said he would oppose judicial nominations until there is a vote on the Mueller legislation.