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US jobless benefits passes key Senate test vote US jobless benefits passes key Senate test vote
(about 3 hours later)
A bill to renew payments to some 1.3 million long-term unemployed Americans has overcome a key vote in the Senate.A bill to renew payments to some 1.3 million long-term unemployed Americans has overcome a key vote in the Senate.
The chamber voted 60-37 to limit debate on the three-month extension of jobless benefits, beating the 60-vote hurdle.The chamber voted 60-37 to limit debate on the three-month extension of jobless benefits, beating the 60-vote hurdle.
But its path through the House is unclear, as the majority Republicans seek ways to offset the $6.4bn (£3.9bn) cost with budget savings elsewhere.But its path through the House is unclear, as the majority Republicans seek ways to offset the $6.4bn (£3.9bn) cost with budget savings elsewhere.
At the White House, Mr Obama urged Congress to extend the "vital economic lifeline" of the benefits. President Barack Obama urged Congress to extend the "vital economic lifeline" of the benefits.
'Not lazy''Not lazy'
He rejected arguments that the benefits strip the unemployed of the motivation to seek work.He rejected arguments that the benefits strip the unemployed of the motivation to seek work.
"The long-term unemployed are not lazy," Mr Obama said. "They're not lacking in motivation. They're coping with the aftermath of the worst economic crisis in generations.""The long-term unemployed are not lazy," Mr Obama said. "They're not lacking in motivation. They're coping with the aftermath of the worst economic crisis in generations."
The unemployment programme, which extends jobless benefits beyond the 26 weeks provided by most states, expired on 28 December, leaving those who have been unemployed for a long time without the weekly benefit.The unemployment programme, which extends jobless benefits beyond the 26 weeks provided by most states, expired on 28 December, leaving those who have been unemployed for a long time without the weekly benefit.
With six Republicans joining Senate Democrats, lawmakers voted to limit debate on the bill, a key hurdle for passage. All 37 votes against limiting debate were Republican.With six Republicans joining Senate Democrats, lawmakers voted to limit debate on the bill, a key hurdle for passage. All 37 votes against limiting debate were Republican.
But the Senate Minority Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Republicans would seek changes to the bill to include budget cuts so the bill's cost would not add to the budget deficit.But the Senate Minority Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Republicans would seek changes to the bill to include budget cuts so the bill's cost would not add to the budget deficit.
House Speaker John Boehner has endorsed this approach but Senate Democrats panned the effort.House Speaker John Boehner has endorsed this approach but Senate Democrats panned the effort.
The bill's co-sponsor, Senate Democrat Jack Reed, said it was more important to "help these families" who were "pushed off an economic cliff on December 28".The bill's co-sponsor, Senate Democrat Jack Reed, said it was more important to "help these families" who were "pushed off an economic cliff on December 28".
Among the Republican proposals is a delay of Mr Obama's healthcare law key mandate, a requirement to purchase health insurance or pay a tax penalty.Among the Republican proposals is a delay of Mr Obama's healthcare law key mandate, a requirement to purchase health insurance or pay a tax penalty.
The move would potentially save money by removing the requirement to provide federal health subsidies for lower-income individuals.The move would potentially save money by removing the requirement to provide federal health subsidies for lower-income individuals.