Senate To Work Through Weekend On NatSec Bill Ahead Of Final Vote Next Week

The Senate is set to delay a two-week recess and stay in the Washington over the weekend to continue work on a USD$95 billion package of aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other US allies.

• The package cleared a key procedural hurdle yesterday with the support of seventeen Republican Senators. At around 19:00 ET 00:00 GMT today, the Senate will hold another vote ahead of a final vote on the package, likely on Tuesday.
• It is unclear what kind of amendment process will be allowed on the package. Punchbowl reports: "Democrats are warning their Republican counterparts that they can’t make “unreasonable” demands on amendments." Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) told reporters yesterday he will reject unanimous consent and propose amendments to delay passage of the bill for as long as he can.
• The package has a good chance of progressing through the Senate but it’s pathway through the House is unclear. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has refused to commit to putting the bill on the floor but the Speaker will be under immense pressure from the White House, international partners, much of the media, and likely majority of House reps to allow a House vote.
• Some reporters have suggested that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) may use a discharge petition to bring the bill to the floor - indeed he told reporters yesterday he'll use "every available legislative tool" to get to a vote. However, discharge petitions are often spoken about during Congressional gridlock but rarely come to pass.