Senate races to pass debt-limit deal to avoid first-ever default

The Senate was poised to pass the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement struck by President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as early as Thursday night, preparing to send it to Mr. Biden’s desk just days before a first-ever default on the nation’s bills was to take place. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer scrambled to quell opposition from defense hawks, climate-conscious Democrats and hardline Republicans, all while expediting the Senate’s time-consuming legislative procedures with little room for error. The two parties struck an agreement to allow 11 amendment roll call...