Before Thanksgiving, the House attempted to pass a three-month reauthorization of the programs but failed to get the two-thirds majority necessary for expedited passage.
Then, on Monday, Sen. Max Baucus (D) of Montana introduced legislation to reauthorize the four federal tiers plus the permanent extended benefits through the end of 2011. Senator Baucus asked for unanimous consent, which would have precluded moving the legislation through committee. However, Sen. Scott Brown (R) of Mass. objected to allowing the full Senate to vote on the bill.
