Associated Press | 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.