Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders have scaled back a tax and spending package that would extend unemployment benefits, in an attempt to pick up votes from those worried about deficits.
The pared-down bill released Wednesday evening would provide expanded jobless benefits through November and would delay scheduled cuts in Medicare payments to doctors until 2012.
The cost of the bill was reduced by more than $50 billion, to about $140 billion. It would add about $84 billion to the federal budget deficit.
House leaders hope to vote on the bill today.
Denver Post wire services
