1.   Senate passage came after the White House, which has repeatedly been losing votes on the legislation, lost another vote Thursday that had threatened to derail the bill.

2.   Senate passage followed three days of often stormy and partisan debate.

3.   Senate passage gives it its best chance of enactment in years.

4.   Senate passage of the legislation culminated more than a year of congressional action on the measure, which has been considerably softened over time.

5.   Senate passage was seriously in doubt.

6.   Senate passage was supposed to be a breeze.

7.   Senate passage came after lawmakers defeated a series of controversial amendments that would have substantially changed the agreement.

8.   Senate passage is considered likely.

9.   Senate passage is thought likely.

10.   Senate passage is still required, and is virtually assured.