Senate Advances Temporary Unemployment Extension Bill

Update: On January 14, 2014, supporters of the measure failed to garner the 60 votes needed to further advance the 3-month UI extension.

The temporary emergency unemployment compensation extension bill cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday when the chamber voted 60-37 to limit debate on the measure. Six Republicans joined all Senate Democrats in voting to advance the bipartisan Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (S. 1845).  Introduced by Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Dean Heller (R-NV), this bill would provide a three-month extension of the emergency unemployment insurance program through March 2014, and make the payment of UI benefits retroactive, as this program lapsed on December 28, 2013. 

Senators will now have up to 30 hours to debate this legislation before calling for a final floor vote.

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