Senate expected to take up extenders next week

The Senate is expected propose amendments to a House-passed tax extenders measure after returning from a weeklong break. 

The Senate returns Monday afternoon, but leadership hasn't decided when consideration will begin on the two-pronged extenders measure, which includes an extension of unemployment benefits and a fix for Medicare payments to doctors, according to a Democratic aide. 

The fate of the measure is uncertain. At this point, the Senate probably doesn't have enough votes to pass the measure, and it's unknown how the House would react to changes. 

House Democrats bailed from support of the bill – 34 on the unpaid for unemployment benefits and 15 from the Medicare "doc fix."

Shortly before departing for the Memorial Day recess, the House passed the $116 billion package in two parts, making it easier to get part of the legislation done. 

The first bill, which passed 215-204, included $39.5 billion for an extension of unemployment benefits that aren't offset. It also includes $53 billion in tax extensions, a new summer jobs program and $1.15 billion in payments for black farmers who suffered bank loan discrimination. All of those expenses are offset with tax increases on investment fund managers that kick in early next year. 

The second part of the bill costs $23 billion and includes a 19-month "doc fix" that delays a cut in Medicare reimbursements to doctors. That part passed easily, 245-171.