The vote, which passed 60--38, with two abstaining, will allow the White House to send trade deals to Congress for up-or-down votes. The Senate will not be able to obstruct them, and lawmakers will not have the power to amend them.

The expedited process will last until 2018 and can be extended until 2021, and increases Obama’s chances of concluding negotiations on the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership).

There were two attempts to pass the vote before its final approval yesterday.

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