Story highlights Congress grants President Barack Obama "fast-track" authority needed to move ahead on trade agenda

After House Democrats scuttled Obama's plans, Republicans rallied to his cause

Washington (CNN) The Senate on Wednesday cleared a bill to give "fast-track" congressional approval of major international trade deals and will send it to President Barack Obama for his signature. The vote was 60 to 38.

The Senate is now voting on a related bill dealing with assistance to U.S. workers who lose their jobs because of those free trade pacts. It's expected to pass and go to the House for a vote Thursday.

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House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who voted against the worker's bill two weeks ago as a means to torpedo the fast track bill, said Wednesday she will now support the bill, all but assuring it will pass and be signed into law by the President.

That means after a bruising and embarrassing defeat less than two weeks ago, Obama appears on track to get his trade agenda approved on Capitol Hill.

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