Senate to take up $18B jobless benefits bill

By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A measure restoring jobless benefits to people struggling to find work is back on track in the Senate.

The $18 billion measure could pass Thursday and prevent even more people whose 26 weeks of state-paid benefits have run out from losing an average of $335 a week in federally funded benefits.

Democrats say deficit-financed jobless benefits not only are needed to help those unable to find work but are an effective way to pump up the still-struggling economy.

More than half of Senate Republicans voted for nearly identical legislation last month, but now almost all are opposed on deficit concerns.