Bunning Cuts Deal, Ends Jobless Filibuster

Republican Jim Bunning has agreed to end the one-man filibuster that’s cut unemployment and other benefits to thousands of workers, making a deal with the Senate leaders of both parties tonight. Roll Call reports that Bunning will support a one-month extension of the benefits in return for the Senate voting on his amendment on how to pay for it.

Bunning originally rejected that offer last week, early in his procedural shutdown; to sweeten the pot, Majority Leader Harry Reid will schedule two more votes on amendments to a measure that would extend the benefits a full year. The Senate voted 78-19 tonight to release funds and bring thousands of federal employees back from furlough. (More Jim Bunning stories.)