Obama's Tax Deal Clears Hurdle in US Senate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's bipartisan tax plan on Monday overwhelmingly passed its first test in Congress as the Senate agreed to formally begin debate on the measure.

By a vote of 83 to 15, the measure easily cleared the 60-vote hurdle needed for most legislation to advance in the 100-seat Senate. A final Senate vote on the tax bill is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday. The House aims to consider the bill by the end of the week. (Reporting by Andy Sullivan and Kim Dixon; Editing by Jackie Frank)