Legislation to restore jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed has cleared a final Senate hurdle before a vote on passage set for Monday, according to Reuters.
The vote was 61-35 Thursday to advance the bill, one more than the 60 needed, Reuters reported.
Most Republicans voted against advancing the bill, citing a Democratic refusal to permit any votes on their proposed changes, according to Reuters.
The White House-backed legislation would resurrect a program of benefits for the long-term unemployed that expired in late December, Reuters reported. In general, it is designed to help those who have been off the job more than 26 weeks.
While Senate passage seems certain for Monday, the bill faces strong opposition in the Republican-controlled House, according to Reuters. House Speaker John Boehner has made no commitment to permit a vote.
The action came after Democrats refused to let Republicans offer an amendment to the measure, which prompted Republicans to refuse to agree to a vote on passage on Thursday, Reuters reported.
The bipartisan legislation seems certain to die once it reaches the Republican-led House of Representatives.
House Speaker John Boehner and other Republicans oppose the bill, citing implementation concerns, according to Reuters. They also complain that the bill does not include any provisions to create jobs.
Bill supporters note that the emergency benefits for the long-term unemployed, or those who have been out of work for at least six months, have been routinely extended in the past with strong bipartisan support, Reuters reported.
The bill's chief sponsors, Democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Republican Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, said they will seek to build support for the measure in the House next week, according to Reuters.
"I told my staff to get me a meeting with Speaker Boehner," Heller told reporters, suggesting that perhaps the Senate and House could reach some sort of a compromise, Reuters reported.
"This is about people who are in a really difficult situation," Reed said, noting many have difficulty paying bills for food and rent, according to Reuters. "We hope the House takes it up quickly."
