The Senate cleared the 60-vote threshold to begin debate on a GOP priority, with Democrats backing it as the party recalibrates politically on immigration. Final passage is still uncertain.

In the Senate, the bill easily passed a key vote to allow debate to begin next week. Democrats signaled Wednesday that they’d vote for cloture after John Thune, the GOP’s new majority leader, allowed amendments to the bill. The vote was 84-9 in favor.