Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center, the Democratic Policy Committee chairman, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., left, meet with reporters to urge passage of legislation to restore unemployment insurance benefits which expired Dec. 28, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
January 09, 2014 - 10:10 AM
WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he is cautiously optimistic that a compromise is close on legislation to renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed.
The Nevada Democrat made his comments at a news conference. He provided no details.
The Senate has been working on a three-month extension of a program that expired on Dec. 28, immediately cutting off benefits of roughly $256 weekly for more than one million hurt by the recession.
Deficit-conscious Republicans have said they will only agree to renew the program if the costs are paid for. In return, the White House and Senate Democrats say they want a long-term renewal and not one that expires in another three months.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014