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Unemployment benefits bill clears hurdle

WASHINGTON (AP) - White House-backed Legislation to renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle on Tuesday, but the bill's fate remained in doubt.The vote was 60-37 to limit debate on the legislation, with a half-dozen Republicans siding with the Democrats on the test vote.At the same time, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said he and his rank and file would seek changes so the bill's $6.4 billion cost would not add to deficits - a step that Senate Democrats have so far rejected. Among them is a suspension in the requirement to purchase health insurance under \Obamacare