With a handful of Democrats joining them, Senate Republicans unanimously blocked a measure that would have prevented tax cuts on those earning less than $250,000 from expiring at the end of the year.

The House was able to pass a temporary extension earlier this week.

Several senators expect President Barack Obama will agree to deal with Republicans by the end of next week that keeps the tax cuts in place across the board for one to three years. That would mark a compromise with Republicans and some Democrats who think the economy would suffer if taxes go up for the 2 percent of Americans who earn more than $250,000.

In exchange for caving to the demands, Obama would likely require Senate Republicans cooperation in passing both a nuclear arms treaty and a bill that extends unemployments benefits past the end of this year.

The L.A. Times offers a pair of graphics that explain the pair of tax bills behind all this: here and here.