Senate tees up final vote on Israel ambassador nominee

The Senate on Tuesday teed up a final confirmation vote on former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to become the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, setting up him to take on the critical role amid the country's battle against Hamas. Senators voted 53-44 on a final procedural vote. A vote on final passage is expected this afternoon after the Senate moved expeditiously on his nomination following Hamas's attack on Israel earlier this month. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said earlier in the day that confirming Lew, who previously served as Treasury secretary under former President Obama, "will be one of…