Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the bill because they opposed the Democrats’ approach to paying for the program, which reduces some student loan interest rates.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republicans blocked on Tuesday a White House-backed bill that would end a tax break for the wealthy in order to pay for an extension of low-interest loan rates for federal student loans. On a mostly party-line vote of 52-45, Democratic backers of the measure fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to clear a Republican procedural roadblock. Regardless, both sides ...

Senate Republican leaders are pushing a plan to erase or at least ease some of the deep cuts Gov. Tom Corbett has proposed in his state budget. The Senate Republican plan offers substantially more aid to colleges, public schools, and social service programs.

Senate Republicans will block Democrats from taking up a White House-backed bill to cap rates on some student loans unless Democrats allow a vote on a GOP alternative, the second-ranking Senate Republican said Monday.

Senate Republicans will block Democrats from taking up a White House-backed bill to cap rates on some student loans unless Democrats allow a vote on a GOP alternative, the second-ranking Senate Republican said Monday.