WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the support of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), the United States Senate today voted to overcome a procedural hurdle and advance legislation renewing the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. The Senate is expected to pass the bill early next week.

“Emergency unemployment benefits are a critical lifeline to thousands of Mainers and millions of Americans who have been struggling to make ends meet while they continue to search for work,” Senator King said. “That’s why I am proud to have joined with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to finally do our part in delivering the vital assistance that so many hard-pressed Americans have been without these past few months. I especially want to applaud those senators, like my friend and colleague from Maine, Susan Collins, who worked tirelessly to strike a compromise and move this bill forward.”

The 65-34 vote today ended the filibuster on the motion to proceed, which effectively clears the way for final passage of the bill early next week by a simple majority vote.

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