Senate Votes to Extend Unemployment Benefits; Committee Backs Kagan Court Nomination

We're pleased to note two positive events from Tuesday's business in the US Senate. Foremost, after Carte Goodwin (D-WV) was sworn in to succeed Senator Robert C. Byrd, the Senate broke a stalemate and moved the long-term jobless benefits bill forward by a 60-40 vote.

Following a final Senate vote, the House will take up the bill on Wednesday, and President Obama is expected to sign it into law by the end of the week. The bill will help states fund extended unemployment benefits to the millions of Americans who have been out of work for more than six months.

Kagan Nomination Approved by Committee
The nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the US Supreme Court moved ahead when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13 to 6 to forward her nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

The vote was almost entirely along party lines, with just one Republican, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, voting to support Ms. Kagan. The full Senate is expected to approve the nomination before the August recess. If she is approved, she will be the fourth woman to serve on the high court.