The U.S Senate fell short of the votes needed to advance a bill that would override state GMO label laws.

The bill would make GMO labels voluntary and preempt laws requiring labels like the one passed in Vermont.

The federal bill's supporters are racing a deadline on July 1, when Vermont's law is slated to go into effect.

The bill needed 60 votes to move forward, but got only 49 votes in favor and 48 votes against.

Opponents and supporters could not agree on how and what should be disclosed under the federal law.

It's not over yet. The committee's minority leader Debbie Stabenow said a deal on an amended version could be reached as early as next week – but could have to wait until after a two-week Easter recess.

To win over more support, the bill's vanguard, Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, is proposing an amendment that would mean companies would not be forced to disclose GMO ingredients unless voluntary labels fail to cover at least 70 percent of the food supply within three years, according to agriculture news site Agri-Pulse.

The amendment would allow food companies to disclose GMO ingredients – if required - with call centers, websites and scanning technology.

Read More:

• Senate Blocks Bill That Would Override State GMO Labeling Laws (Reuters)
• GMO Labeling Bill Blocked In Senate (Agri-Pulse)