The Senate will again have 100 members today when Carte Goodwin is sworn in as the interim senator from West Virginia.

Goodwin, a Democrat, was appointed by West Virginia Gov. Joe Mancin to succeed the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) until a special election is held in November.

Goodwin will provide the 60^th vote to end a GOP-led filibuster on a bill to extend unemployment insurance.

It is not certain when, or if, the Senate will take up a job-creation bill, which credit union advocates hope will be the vehicle to attach an amendment by Sen. Mark Udall (D- Col.) to raise the cap on member businesses loans from 12.25% of assets to 27.5% of assets.

Several industry and regulatory lobbyists said they were cautiously optimistic about the chances that Udall amendment will be allowed to be offered.

Udall and his allies are seeking bipartisan support for the amendment.

The bill, which creates a $30 billion lending fund that community banks can access to make business loans, has raised concerns among some lawmakers who don't want to increase spending in light of huge deficits. The Independent Community Bankers of America has said it will oppose the bill if it includes the Udall amendment.