Obama welcomes Senate defeat of EPA measure

WASHINGTON, June 10 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama welcomed a Senate vote on Thursday to kill legislation that would have prevented the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing carbon dioxide-reduction controls next year.

In a procedural vote, the Senate blocked the bill offered by Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski by a tally of 53 to 47.

"Today's vote is yet another reminder of the urgent need to pass legislation that would help America transition to a 21st century clean energy economy that would create jobs, strengthen our national security, and protect our environment for our children," Obama said in a statement. (Reporting by Steve Holland; editing by Chris Wilson)