Senate moves forward on immigration bill

The move comes as senators near passage of immigration legislation offering U.S. citizenship to millions of people.

The 69-29 vote Wednesday came as the Senate plowed through a few remaining procedural hurdles ahead of final passage. That might happen as early as Thursday.

Earlier, senators knocked down a Republican objection raised against the bill.

The outcomes indicate the legislation commands the backing of well over the 60 senators needed to pass the bill and send it to the House, where an uncertain future awaits.

The White House-backed measure spends tens of billions on border security while establishing a 13-year path to citizenship for 11 million people already here illegally.