From left, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., arrive at the Capitol in Washington on Monday for a procedural vote in the Senate on a bill that would extend unemployment benefits.By DAVID ESPO
AP Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON – White House-backed legislation to renew benefits for the long-term unemployed unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle today, clearing the way for bipartisan negotiations in the opening days of an election-year session of Congress.
The vote was 60-37 to limit debate on the three-month legislation, with a half-dozen Republicans siding with the Democrats on the test vote.
At the same time, the Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he and his rank and file would seek changes so the bill’s $6.4 billion cost would not add to deficits.