- 03/25/10 09:30 PM ET
A bipartisan Senate deal to briefly extend a package of expiring provisions fell apart Thursday night, endangering unemployment aid set to expire April 5.
Senate leaders from both parties had neared a deal to allow swift passage of a package providing benefits for another week that would be fully paid for, according to Senate sources from both parties. The compromise was needed because Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) blocked Senate Democrats from quickly passing a month-long extension. Coburn objected because its cost -- $9.2 billion -- wasn't offset and would increase the $12.7 trillion national debt.
