Mortgage Rescue Bill Returns to House After Senate Vote

WASHINGTON — A long-stalled mortgage rescue inched yesterday toward Senate passage, only to be sent back to the House for more votes and intense negotiations to resolve disputes that are delaying help for hundreds of thousands of homeowners.

By a vote of 84-12, the Senate cleared away the last procedural hurdle hindering the measure, putting it on track for passage as early as day's end. The broad endorsement reflected widespread interest by lawmakers in both parties in sending election-year help to struggling homeowners facing tough economic times.

Beyond the Senate, the measure is far from complete, with House leaders planning to rewrite key portions and the White House threatening a veto.