The finish line may be in sight for an end to the House Democratic walkout and the passage of the "right to work" bill that prompted it.

A Senate committee voted 6-4 Friday to advance the legislation that would prevent companies and labor unions from negotiating contracts that require nonmembers to pay fees.

The approval came after a marathon hearing where supporters called the measure a job-boosting tool and opponents labeled it a union-busting, wage-lowering ploy. The vote clears the way for certain passage by the Senate in the coming days.

Shortly after the vote, House Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said Democrats, whose opposition to the bill has shut down the House for three days, could return "at any time." Their "ultimate goal," he said, was not to keep the House impotent but to give the public time to learn about the issue.