WASHINGTON (AP) — Three free trade agreements that have spent years in political limbo could finally be on a path toward congressional action with a Senate vote Thursday to assure that American workers who lose their jobs to foreign competition can get retraining and aid.

As part of a plan carefully orchestrated with the White House, the Senate voted 70-27 to renew expired portions of Trade Adjustment Assistance, a Kennedy-era program that helps those adversely affected by trade with financial support while they learn new job skills.

While the logistics have yet to be worked out, that sets up the White House formally submitting the trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama to Congress for a final vote. House Speaker John Boehner has pledged that he will take up the TAA worker aid bill in tandem with the three trade treaties.