Senate leaders aim for quick vote on Iran debate

Senate Republican and Democratic leaders are racing to reach a deal to hold a debate on Iran while also passing a major defense policy bill before leaving for the July Fourth recess later this week.

Senate Democrats have threatened in recent days to hold up the must-pass defense bill if they don't get a vote on an amendment from Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) that would require congressional approval before any military funds could go toward conflict with Iran.

In response, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that he would be willing to hold a vote.

But it's unclear if or when that vote will take place.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said Wednesday that a vote on the amendment will depend on cooperation from Democrats, several of whom are headed to Miami this week to participate in the presidential debates.

"As of yesterday, I thought they were going to get that vote," Thune said.

Thune added that Schumer had previously expressed interest in holding votes on the Udall amendment and defense bill, as well as an emergency border spending package, on Friday to allow Democratic primary candidates to return.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that he looked forward to working with McConnell to "schedule a time on this very, very important debate, a debate mandated by the Constitution."

Meanwhile Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) voiced frustration that the defense policy bill was being held up over accommodations for 2020 candidates.

"Right now the ball's in Chuck Schumer's court in a way," Inhofe said. "We're tired of waiting around. It's silly to say that we can't do anything, that we have to stop the most important bill of the year to take care of people who are running for president."

While the Udall amendment also has support from Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, Senate Republicans are skeptical it has the votes necessary to pass and see little harm in bringing it to the floor.

"We're happy to vote on it because we think we can beat it," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).