WASHINGTON - President Obama is pressing his case for changes in how the Senate does business, hoping to ease the partisan gridlock, and he wants to bar lawmakers from profiting from their service.

The Senate, acting as the impeachment court, might continue its hearings on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona even during a two-month break that will start on March 24.

The Senate has approved a temporary extension of Federal Aviation Administration programs, avoiding a shutdown of the agency as lawmakers work out their last remaining differences on a long-term plan.

Despite support from virtually all Republicans, the Senate blocked an attempt to deny President Obama an increase in the debt ceiling, ensuring that the administration has the funds to pay the nation’s bills through the November election.

Delaware#39;s Senate on Thursday narrowly approved a bill raising the minimum wage by a dollar, a move that would leave the state among a minority of states with minimum wages higher than the federal minimum wage.