An extension of unemployment benefits would be good news to the  millions still unemployed, but the creation of some jobs would be even better.

The Senate is on the verge of passing a bill extending unemployment benefits up to 20 weeks nationwide, after lawmakers on Monday easily hopped the procedural hurdle bringing debate on the legislation to an end.

The cloture vote was a lopsided 85 to 2. After weeks of haggling over controversial amendments, only Republican Sens. Christopher Bond (Mo.) and Jim DeMint (S.C.) voted against the measure.

Under Senate rules, Democratic leaders have to wait at least 30 hours before staging the final vote, unless Republican leaders agree to an earlier time. Without such an agreement, the final vote will likely take place Wednesday morning.

Afterward, House leaders — who passed a less generous extension in September — would have to approve the Senate bill before it could move to the White House for the president’s signature.

SOURCE.