March 10, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate votes Wednesday on a bill extending
unemployment benefits up to 99 months in many states and renewing
tax breaks popular with businesses and individuals.

The measure is likely to pass with bipartisan support despite
conservatives' protests that it will add more than $130 billion to
the budget deficit over the next year and a half.

The tax breaks include a property tax deduction for those who
don't itemize and credits that help businesses finance research and
development.

The sweeping bill also prevents doctors from absorbing a 21
percent cut in Medicare payments and extends through December a 65
percent subsidy of health insurance premiums for the unemployed.