Sen. Reid: Democrats Will Work Towards Extending Unemployment Benefits

Needs support from five Republicans to avoid a filibuster on a plan to extend the benefits for three months

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Sunday Democrats will focus on the middle class in 2014 and attempt to extend emergency unemployment benefits.

"It's the right thing to do. We have long-term unemployment. That's why the American people support this -- Democrats, Independents and Republicans," the Nevada senator said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

He said he is supporting a plan that would restart the benefits for three months before determining how to offset the cost of doing so.

The support of five Republicans is necessary to avoid a filibuster.