Senate votes to advance bill to extend jobless benefits

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted 60-37 to extend unemployment benefits by three months, according to a report by the New York Times.

Conservative Republicans opposed the extension, claiming unemployment benefits discourage the unemployed from looking for a job. Moderate Republicans who voted for the extension want the costs to be offset by cuts to spending.

The close vote is expected to set the stage for negotiations to try to pass the bill later in the week. Democrats indicated they would push for the passage but admit the Senate’s attention will probably be diverted to other issues.

Read more from the New York Times.