US Senators took a hotly contested first step toward restoring federal jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed on Tuesday night.

The Senate voted 60-37 to limit debate on the three-month extension of jobless benefits, beating a procedural 60-vote hurdle.

Fifty-four Democratic and independent senators supported the Bill, joined by six Republicans - just enough to move to a vote on the Bill.

The legislation would restore federal unemployment payments that lapsed in late December for 1.3 million US citizens who have been out of work for more than 26 weeks - but would only be paid for three months.

"Voting for unemployment insurance helps people and creates jobs," President Barack Obama stressed, calling the programme a "vital economic lifeline."

The disputed Bill would cost the federal government $6 billion (£3.7bn).

"Congress should pass this bipartisan plan right away and I will sign it right away," Mr Obama said after the procedural vote.

"The long-term unemployed are not lazy. They're not lacking in motivation. They're coping with the aftermath of the worst economic crisis in generations."

Assuming the Bill is passed by the Senate, it will put pressure on the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

But Republican House Speaker John Boehner has insisted that any benefits extension should be paid for by cuts elsewhere and include other reforms to the programme.

Democrats are also pushing hard for an increase in the federal minimum wage, but among Republican proposals is a delay in Mr Obama's healthcare law.

The delay would save money by stalling federal health subsidies for lower-income citizens.

Before the vote Democrat Senate majority leader Harry Reid accused Republicans of "callously" turning their backs on the unemployed.

And Democrat Senator Dick Durbin added: "This is not a government giveaway. It defines who we are as a nation."

But leading Republican Senator Mitch McConnell claimed the focus on jobless benefits was an indictment of Mr Obama and his policies.

Mr McConnell voted against advancing the benefits legislation but six other Senate Republicans defected.

Three were from states with unemployment rates higher than the 7 per cent US average.