Senate takes first step toward debating foreign aid package without border policy – but key test vote looms

The Senate voted on Wednesday to take the first step toward debating a major foreign aid package with assistance for Ukraine and Israel without border security provisions, but a key test vote looms ahead and it is unclear if that will succeed.

The Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote at a 60-vote threshold as soon as Thursday, and it’s not clear if there will be 60 votes to move forward as Republicans are demanding an agreement to have their amendments to the underlying bill considered.

“We will recess until tomorrow and give our Republican colleagues time to figure themselves out,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor on Wednesday evening. “We’ll be coming back tomorrow at noon, and hopefully that will give the Republicans the time they need. We will have this vote tomorrow.”

If the package passes out of the chamber, the Senate will be on a collision course with the House, where many Republicans oppose sending further aid to Ukraine.

The move to take up a foreign aid package without border provisions comes after Senate Republicans blocked a foreign aid package that included a bipartisan border deal.

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