After attempting to derail the process because their counterparts would not hear a series of unrelated amendments, Senate Republicans have finally exhausted all of their options for blocking a bill extending federal unemployment insurance to jobless Americans. Moments ago, the Senate passed its third cloture vote on H.R. 3548 by a 97-1 margin. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) was the only dissenter.

On Monday night, the Senate voted to end debate on an amendment written by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) tacking a business-friendly tax write-off benefit onto the bill. Today, the upper chamber approved the final language of the complete measure, which includes an extension of the popular $8,000 homebuyer's tax credit. In 30 hours, they can officially pass the legislation, 26 days after the House passed their own, less-generous version.

The good news is that House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has promised that his chamber will take up the Senate bill as soon as it arrives. That's likely to happen Friday morning. Stay tuned.

UPDATE (4:40 p.m.): The Senate moved on final passage quicker than we thought.  They're currently voting.  We'll have the final vote tally shortly.

UPDATE II (4:53 p.m): The tally is in. H.R. 3548 passes by a 98-0 margin. It now will move back to the House, which is expected to take up the bill quickly.

UPDATE III (5:45 p.m.): Here is Hoyer's latest statement (via commenter "Mystic 1982"):

“I am pleased the Senate has passed legislation that is vital to Americans who have lost their jobs as a result of the deepest recession in over three-quarters of a century.  For too long, Senate Republicans blocked progress on extending unemployment insurance, which would provide immediate and tangible help to those who need it most, while also boosting our economy.  Democrats remain focused on doing everything we can to assist Americans struggling to make ends meet, and extending unemployment benefits is part of that effort.  Now that this legislation has passed the Senate, I will bring it to the House Floor for a vote as early as tomorrow.”