The Senate and House are poised to agree on a compromise measure to extend unemployment benefits that also would expand a popular $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers, despite a recent government report on extensive mistakes and suspected fraud in the program.

Under the new legislation, individuals with income up to $125,000 a year and couples earning up to $225,000 would be eligible. The current income limits are $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples. Under both the House and Senate versions, smaller amounts are available to people of slightly higher incomes until the credit phases out.

The expanded homebuyers’ tax credit was attached to a bill intended to extend unemployment compensation for up to 20 weeks for people who have been out of work for long periods. Another amendment would sweeten a tax break for businesses with net operating losses in 2008 and 2009.

The movement to reform credit card practices is gaining speed as the White House and Congress target punishing fee practices they say are contributing to a growing number of Americans’ financial distress.

Banks say that higher funding costs, along with surging loan delinquencies and defaults, have forced them to reassess credit card risk.

When banks change credit card rates, consumers are often given the option of opting out, meaning they can pay off the debt at the same interest rate as long as they don’t make any new purchases. But if the bank raises rates because of a late payment, the consumer generally doesn’t have the option of refusing the higher rate.