Nasty Senate Fight Breaks Out Over Anti-Israel Boycotts

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) addresses the Get Out the Vote Rally in support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum at the University of Central Florida, CFE Arena in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 31, 2018. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) faces his first test of 2019 late Tuesday in a showdown with Democrats over voting to end the government shutdown or a package of proposals on the Middle East.

McConnell wants the Senate to vote on S.1, the “Strengthening American Security in the Middle East Act,” which includes a bipartisan provision protecting local and state governments that refuse to contract with firms or organizations supporting the Boycott, Divest From, Sanction (BDS) Movement against Israel.