Dems plan benefits vote minutes after new senator is sworn in

Democrats are preparing a vote to extend lapsed unemployment benefits just moments after Democratic appointee Carte Goodwin is sworn in as senator.

Goodwin, who was appointed by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) to fill the Senate seat of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D), will be sworn in at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

At 2:30 p.m., Democrats will hold a cloture vote on legislation to extend unemployment benefits.

The legislation has been stalled for weeks since expiring June 4, with Senate Republicans demanding the new spending be offset with spending cuts elsewhere.

Two Republicans, Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, have crossed the aisle to support the measure, but Byrd's death has left Democrats one vote shy of having the 60 senators necessary to approve the extension.

While Goodwin is expected to back the extension, making its passage Tuesday a fait accompli, Democrats have wasted no time attacking the GOP over the impasse. Senate Republicans, for their part, have pointed to reservations by senior Democrats and President Obama over the endless extension of benefits without being offset in the budget.