By Susan Davis, USA Today, Jan. 7, 2014

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate agreed Tuesday to move forward with a three-month extension of expired jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed, which affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans.

Six Republicans voted with 54 members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, which includes two independents, to overcome a 60-vote threshold to begin consideration of bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Dean Heller, R-Nev [....]

Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, was not present for the vote. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., surprised Democrats by providing the key vote to advance the bill [....]

The next steps are uncertain. The Senate still has to pass the bill, and it faces considerable opposition in the GOP-controlled House, where Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has said he could consider an extension if the cost is offset by budget cuts elsewhere.

President Obama will keep pressure on Congress to act at a White House event Tuesday with some of the Americans affected by the benefits' expiration [....]