The U.S. Senate is expected to vote later this week on a massive bill that would set aside about two million acres in nine states as wilderness, including parts of the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.

The Senate voted 66-12 Sunday to clear away procedural hurdles.

The massive bill calls for the largest expansion of wilderness protection in 25 years. It would confer the government's highest level of protection on land ranging from California's Sierra Nevada mountain range to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Several Republicans complained that the bill was loaded with pet projects and prevented development of oil and gas on federal lands.

Environmental groups said the bill set the right tone for the new Congress.