Senate Works Toward Passing Extenders Package

After halting debate for several days to consider short-term extensions of unemployment benefits and COBRA eligibility, the Senate has returned to debating a larger package of tax extenders that represent the second phase of the leadership’s jobs agenda.

The Senate is currently considering a number of proposed amendments to the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act which retroactively extends $31 billion worth of expired tax credits through the end of 2010, including the research and development credit, tax cuts to help families afford college tuition, and individual income tax deductions for state and local taxes. With more than 30 amendments offered yesterday, a final vote is not expected on the bill until next week.

“We’ve taken important steps in recent weeks to strengthen the economy and create new jobs,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). “Now we build on that work with this bipartisan proposal that will help businesses thrive again, extend critical assistance to out-of-work Americans, extend tax relief to individuals and businesses and provide assistance to states to ensure that they can continue to provide health care to low-income families.”

The bill also restores eligibility for unemployment benefits and COBRA health insurance through the end of the year. Those benefits expired Feb. 28, and a 30-day extension of the benefits was held up for several days by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who blocked unanimous consent agreements to pass the bill because the spending was not offset. Bunning’s filibuster emerged as a major talking point for Democrats this week who claimed that Republicans were pursuing an obstructionist strategy and holding up needed legislation for partisan reasons.