Congress moves to extend unemployment benefits

Today is a big day for 2.8 million unemployed people who had, at least temporarily, lost their unemployment benefits. A move to restore extended unemployment payments of up to 99 weeks won a key Senate procedural vote.

A final vote could come later today (July 20).

The House is expected to take up the legislation on Wednesday and President Obama to sign it by Friday. States could begin issuing retroactive checks as early as next week, though it could take longer in some states.