RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue on Friday argued who would be blamed for cutting off unemployment benefits for about 37,000 long-term jobless workers — something lawmakers could reverse later if they wanted.

Republicans legislative leaders scheduled rare but perfunctory sessions Saturday in a move to force Perdue to choose that same day whether to veto or sign a bill that would preserve jobless benefits for thousands. The measure also would force her to accept a 13 percent cut from the spending plan she proposed for next year as a starting point for negotiations.

Without Perdue's approval, the federally funded benefits will stop Saturday for those out of work for up to 99 weeks. A veto isn't necessarily the end of the benefit checks. The jobless workers would see their payments stopped, but they could be made whole retroactively if legislators decided to relent later.