WASHINGTON - The Senate comes back today and the House later this week for a session at which lawmakers will consider measures aimed at lessening the impact of the current economic crisis.

Bills to extend unemployment benefits, provide loan guarantees to the troubled automobile industry and jumpstart the economy could be taken up. The stumbling block could be the Senate where the rules require most measures to have 60 votes (out of 100 members) to pass. Democrats will have increased majorities in both chambers when the new Congress convenes next year but it is still unclear if they will have 60 votes in the Senate.

The unemployment extension is considered the least controversial of the measures and thus, more likely to pass.

Lobbyists for CUNA and NAFCU have said they would try to get some kind of regulatory relief-including raising the cap on member business loans--in any stimulus bill but have said that is more likely to happen next year.