Senate to vote bipartisan bill aimed at countering China's influence

The Senate is voting Thursday on a bill aimed at countering China's global economic and political influence. But despite the bill's bipartisan sponsorship and a lengthy amendment process, last-minute opposition nearly imperiled its chances.

The Senate voted this week on multiple amendments to the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, including votes on several amendments late Wednesday night. The Senate opened a cloture vote on the bill shortly after 11:00 on Thursday morning, which limits debate before a final vote. The bill remained open for more than three hours as negotiations on the bill continued behind the scenes over including more amendments. The bill needed 60 votes to invoke cloture, and Democrats have a 50-seat majority — meaning that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer needed support from at least ten Republicans in order for the legislation to advance. Several Republicans agreed to support cloture after a deal to vote on two more amendments was reached.