WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill to renew more than 50 expired tax breaks for businesses and individuals cleared a key hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, giving hope to millions of taxpayers who would otherwise be hit with unwelcome tax increases next spring.
Other hurdles remain, however.
The Senate voted 96 to 3 to open debate on the bill, which has strong backing from the business community but would add about $85 billion to the budget deficit.