I don't understand why the previous bill split along party lines. I know the republicans are usually associated with corporate interests, but is this part of either party's official ideology or agenda?

You don't understand it because it didn't happen. The article is seriously misinformed. The bill in question (S.2917) was read by Senator Snowe on the Senate floor on May 19, 2006, where it was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. There was no vote, party lines or not. It was not killed. It presumably died of natural causes in committee when the 109th Congress ended, as there is no mention of it in the committee record.

Look it up.