Democratic state lawmakers Thursday pressed to have a bill that makes it easier for the survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits remain part of the budget negotiations.

"This is our time, this our moment, to really do what people sent us here to do," said Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

But the lawmakers also signaled they did not want the bill to be drastically altered by the budget talks, especially if that means losing a one-year look back period for old claims to be brought by abuse survivors.

"We want this to remain on the table and we want to make sure it remains intact with the one-year look back," Stewart-Cousins said.

The look-back period is opposed by the Catholic Church. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, in Albany this week, raised concerns with the provision. Lawmakers dismissed the criticism. 

"Well, what could be more toxic than a child being sexually abused and somebody covering it up?" asked Sen. Brad Hoylman (D - Manhattan).

Abuse survivors have pushed for the last decade to see the measure become law. The hope is that with a societal reckoning surrounding sexual abuse and misconduct, Albany may finally act.

"We see the cover-ups," Hoylman said. "If the crime doesn't get reported, the crimes get covered up."

Still, some lawmakers were open to taking it out of the budget entirely, and dealing with it on its own before the end of the legislative session in June.

"We keep hoping and we keep working toward that goal," said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D - Manhattan). "If it doesn't happen in the budget, it will happen outside the budget.

Lawmakers scheduled the budget to pass March 29, which is next week. Top legislative leaders and Governor Andrew Cuomo continued to negotiate the spending plan in private this week.