Reid Seeking Votes For New Jobless Benefits Deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he's seeking votes for a new measure aimed at extending jobless benefits for people who have been out of work the longest.

The Nevada Democrat told reporters Wednesday he's short of the 60 votes needed to end Republican delaying tactics against the measure. But he said he has 58 or 59 votes and hopes his chamber will debate the package next week.

Reid said the proposal would extend the benefits for another three months and would be paid for, though he didn't say how. He provided no details.

The program expired on Dec. 28, cutting off benefits for the long-term unemployed, more than 1 million people. Efforts to revive it have stalled in the Senate, where most Republicans have opposed it.

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