Obama's Trade Agenda Clears Key Senate Hurdle

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.