Two resolutions brought to the Senate floor late on Wednesday evening in Washington to block the transfer of "offensive" weapons from the US to Israel failed to advance, after more than three-quarters of the chamber shot them down.
But for the very first time, a majority of the Democrats and two Independent allies supported the resolutions to block the sale of $675m in bombs and guidance kits, as well as the shipment of 20,000 assault rifles. There are a total of 45 Democrats in the Senate - plus two Independents aligned with them.
The tally came to 73 to 24 on the first vote, and 70 to 27 on the second.
There are 100 members in the Senate. All Republicans voted against the resolutions.
Both were brought forward by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who also pushed for a similar vote back in April. At the time, he only managed to get 15 Democrats on board.
