The Senate is moving forward with Wilbur Ross's nomination to lead the Commerce Department.

The chamber on Friday voted 66-31 in favor of cloture on Ross, setting up a confirmation vote later this month. Sixteen Democrats joined with all Republicans present in backing Ross, who needed a simple 51-vote majority to overcome Friday's procedural hurdle.

Senators aren't expected to be able to finish his nomination before leaving town for the week-long President's Day recess.

ADVERTISEMENT

With Democrats able to drag out an extra 30 hours of debate, a final vote is expected as early as the evening Feb. 27.

Democrats raised fresh concerns about Ross’s nomination this week, questioning whether he has ties to Russia.

In a letter obtained by McClatchy , Dems questioned Ross's relationship with Viktor Vekselberg, a shareholder at a bank where Ross still sits on the board.

Vekselberg is friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and was formally one of the directors of the Russian state-controlled oil giant Rosneft.