US Senate votes to consider fast-track bill

Washington

A 12-NATION Pacific trade agreement has cleared a crucial test in the US Senate giving a resounding thumbs-up to legislation that holds the key to President Barack Obama's diplomatic pivot to Asia.

Just two days after Democrats defied Mr Obama to block debate on a bill to "fast-track" trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) through Congress, the Senate voted 65 to 33 on Thursday to move ahead with consideration of the measure.