Published May 21, 2015 10:57am EDT | Updated May 28, 2015 2:58am EDT

Obama-backed Trade Bill Clears Hurdle In Senate

A bill to give presidents "fast track" trade authority cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate on Thursday. The bill needed 60 votes to advance, and got 62. President Barack Obama is seeking fast track to speed passage of trade agreements like the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership through Congress. Fast track subjects trade deals to up-or-down votes without amendments.