Jim Bunning, GOP Working on Ending Senate Stalemate over Benefits Bill
Negotiations are under way in the Senate to end the stalemate caused by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) over extending unemployment benefits, and the Associated Press reports that Bunning's spokesman now says the senator will permit a vote.
Bunning last week blocked legislation that would have, among other things, extended benefits for thousands of unemployed workers, because it was not paid for. He told reporters today that he was willing to hold his ground "until we get it settled," CBS News Capitol Hill Producer John Nolen reports.
He said, however, a compromise could come as early as today.
Bunning could get an opportunity to offer some amendments that would allow for the bill to be paid for, a Senate Republican told Nolen. He could possibly offer an amendment to use stimulus funds to pay for the $10 billion bill or an amendment for an across-the-board cut in discretionary spending.
Republicans sounded optimistic about the compromise.
"We're going to be able to work out the short-term extension in the very near future and we're in the process of working on that now," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said.
Democrats have used Bunning's block to blast Republicans for using every Senate rule available to stall legislation.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he has not yet received a compromise proposal from Republicans, but he has heard they want to vote on four amendments, Nolen reports.
"I've said from the very beginning we will give them a vote," Reid said. "They want this paid for; they can have it. They can vote to have it paid for; they can have that. But we're not having four votes."
Democrats could, alternatively, use Senate rules to break Bunning's hold with an all-night session, Roll Call reports, to last until Bunning gives up his filibuster.