Eleven GOP senators voted with Democrats on Thursday to help advance a short-term debt ceiling extension.
The 61-38 vote advances the debt ceiling increase to final passage. Sixty votes were needed including the support of at least 10 GOP senators to help get it over the hurdle.
The debt ceiling extension raises the nation’s borrowing limit by $480 billion, which the Treasury Department estimates would have the U.S. government hit the new debt ceiling around Dec. 3.
Some Senate Republicans had hoped to bypass the 60-vote hurdle ending debate and just move directly to a vote to pass the debt increase. The move would have allowed Republicans sidestep putting up 10 votes to help close debate.
No Republicans are expected to vote for the debt ceiling increase on final passage, which will happen Thursday night.
Several Republicans fumed over the short-term increase and drew a line on requiring that the bill be able to overcome the higher threshold.
That kicked off an hours-long effort by GOP leadership to wrangle together enough support within their caucus, as well as a nail-biting vote.
Even as he was heading into the vote, Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) left himself some wiggle room on if there would be 10 GOP senators to back ending debate.
“I’m sure we will,” he said.
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