Obama: Senate jobless vote an 'important step'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is applauding a Senate vote advancing legislation to renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed as an important step.

The Senate voted 60-37 Tuesday to clear the bill’s first hurdle. But Republicans who voted to move ahead still want concessions that will have to be worked out before final passage. The Republican-controlled House would also have to vote for it.