Social Security Fairness Act clears key Senate hurdle, heads to final vote

Legislation to expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans cleared a key procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday afternoon and is now headed toward a final vote, with the clock ticking and only days left in the current session of Congress. 

Senators voted 73-27 to approve a motion to proceed with consideration of the Social Security Fairness Act, according to an unofficial Senate tally shown in a webcast on the floor of the chamber.

"We will vote on taking up the Social Security Fairness Act to repeal flawed policies that eat away at the benefits of those who've worked as teachers, firefighters, postal workers, or public sector workers," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on social media shortly before the vote. "Retirees deprived of their hard-earned benefits will be watching closely."