But leaders of both parties cited steady progress on a package tying Ukraine military assistance to tougher border policies and hope for a deal early next month.
The Alabama Republican, under pressure from his own party, agreed to drop his objections to the remaining 11 military nominees to four-star positions, allowing their swift confirmation.
Under pressure from senators in both parties, the Alabama Republican said he would allow more than 400 promotions to move forward, continuing to block only the most senior positions.
Democrats were working to force a change in Senate rules to outmaneuver the Alabama Republican, and a group of senators in his own party signaled their patience had run out.
Senator Chuck Schumer’s move to clear the way for the confirmation of three top generals left unanswered the question of what would happen to hundreds of other military promotions.