Senate stuck on tax extenders package

Senate Democrats once again seemed unable Thursday to gather up enough support on a tax extenders package that has languished in the chamber for more than two weeks. 

Despite a trimmed back version offered up late Wednesday by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Democrats were still struggling to get the 60 votes needed to move forward on the bill, according to Senate aides. 

The latest version -- that includes an extension of unemployment benefits, aid to states and popular tax breaks -- cuts deficit spending down from about $80 billion to about $55 billion. 

In an effort to build support, Baucus had made several changes for Democrats and Republicans in opposition to certain provisions in the measure. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed cloture on the bill Wednesday, setting up a Friday vote. But it wasn't known Thursday evening if an agreement could be reached to vote on the bill this week. 

The bill cuts an extra $25 from weekly unemployment benefits checks, part of the February 2009 economic stimulus, saving $5.8 billion. 

Another $16.4 billion is saved by postponing the payment cuts to doctors through November instead of the 19 months included in the House-passed measure. 

The House passed a $115 billion version of the measure before the Memorial Day recess as two separate bills -- one with all of the tax extenders and unemployment benefits and another with that dealt with the $23 billion Medicare 'doc fix' that would last 19 months.