Senate Democrats will make more revisions to tax extenders legislation

Senate Democrats weren't able to push forward with enough support on a languishing tax extenders package that is now expected to undergo a second revision in order to appease opponents.

Despite trimming deficit spending back from $80 billion to $55 billion, the legislation -- that includes an extension of unemployment benefits, aid to states and popular tax breaks -- couldn't pass muster in the chamber. A cloture vote on the measure failed 56-40 Thursday night, with 60 votes needed to end debate. 

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) is expected to make additional revisions over the weekend and present a new proposal sometime next week. 

Baucus made changes requested by Republicans and Democrats and released a new version of the measure on Wednesday night. The changes attracted Democratic Sens. Evan Bayh (Ind.), Russ Feingold (Wis.) Mark Begich (Alaska), Herb Kohl (Wis.), Jim Webb (Va.), who were among those who voted against ending debate on Wednesday. But the changes weren't enough to reel in Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine).

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 Medicare 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 that dealt with the $23 billion Medicare 'doc fix' that would last 19 months.