Senate Returns to Measure Extending Jobless Benefits

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 The Senate can now get back to work on a measure that includes longer and more generous jobless benefits
through the end of the year.

Last night, senators were able to approve stopgap legislation temporarily extending those benefits -- along with highway funding and health insurance subsidies for the unemployed. This, after Republican Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky gave way. He had held up action on the bill for days, trying to force Democrats to find ways to finance it so that it wouldn't add to the deficit.

President Barack Obama quickly signed the extension, saying that the focus needs to be on supporting American workers and their families.

Democratic leaders, meanwhile, say Bunning yielded after accepting an offer he had rejected for days.

His support among fellow Republicans had been dwindling, amid fears that Democrats would capitalize on the failure to help the jobless.