US Senator Mitt Romney speaks with members of the media ahead of a Senate vote to begin work on a bill that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel and China's Taiwan in Washington, on February 9, 2024. (REUTERS) |
The Senate voted 64-19 to advance the legislation one step along a chain of preliminary votes that could stretch into next week, unless party leaders can reach agreement with rank-and-file lawmakers to fast-track the bill. Lawmakers expect to take the next procedural step in a rare Sunday session.
In Friday's vote, the bill cleared a simple majority threshold with 14 Republicans supporting the measure.
If the legislation ultimately passes the Senate, it will face an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he could split the aid into separate bills.
Johnson spoke a day after the House rejected a stand-alone aid bill for Israel.