Byrd's replacement will be named by Friday

A temporary replacement for Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) is expected to be named by 5 p.m. on Friday, providing Senate Democrats with the 60th vote they need to pass an unemployment benefits extension. 

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin said Tuesday afternoon he expects to name a replacement for Byrd, who died in late June, by Friday evening. 

As long as the vote count doesn't change between now and early next week, the bill is expected to pass after weeks of a Republican filibuster over adding to the deficit.

The $34 billion extension would provide benefits for more than 2.5 million people whose unemployment insurance expired June 2. 

Those who have been unemployed for six months are more can receive weekly checks for up 99 weeks in some states, based on the unemployment rate.

Manchin also sent a bill Tuesday to the state legislature to authorize a special election for November to elect Byrd's successor.