Jobless-aid measure clears hurdle

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Legislation to give additional months of unemployment benefits to people who have been out of a job for more than half a year cleared a key hurdle Tuesday that guarantees it will soon pass the Senate.

The sweeping bill also would prevent doctors from absorbing a crippling cut in Medicare payments and extends health-insurance subsidies for the unemployed through December. It would add $132 billion to the budget deficit over the next year and a half.

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