U.S. trade bill clears Senate hurdle in boost to Pacific trade pact

By Richard Cowan and Krista Hughes WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A 12-nation Pacific trade agreement cleared a crucial test in the U.S. Senate on Thursday, 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 Obama to block debate on the "fast-track" trade negotiating authority that he needs to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, the Senate voted 65 to 33 to move ahe