washington <u+2014> president barack obama's trade agenda has cleared a key senate hurdle to move toward a final vote.









the senate has topped the 60 votes needed to begin substantive action on obama's bid for "fast track" negotiating authority. the vote was 62-38.









obama says fast track authority will improve prospects for a trade treaty with 11 other pacific-rim nations.









labor unions and other groups vital to democrats strongly oppose obama's trade agenda. they say free-trade deals cost u.s. jobs.









obama says u.s. producers need broader access to foreign markets.
obama's trade agenda clears key senate hurdle
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