The Democratic-led Senate cleared a procedural hurdle Thursday for passage of unemployment benefits.
The chamber voted to begin debate on the bill by a margin of 65-34, clearing the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster.
Democratic leaders opted to use an unrelated House bill as a vehicle to avoid a obstacle, and intend to tack on as a substitute amendment the bipartisan jobless benefits deal struck earlier this month.
It’s likely to pass the Senate next week, leadership aides say. Then it goes to the Republican-led House, where Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has signaled he won’t take it up.
