WASHINGTON—The Senate approved legislation Thursday that would extend federal COBRA health insurance premium subsidies to employees laid off from April 1 through May 31.

The previous short-term extension of the 15-month, 65% federal premium subsidy for involuntarily terminated employees expired March 31.

The bill, approved on a 59-38 vote, now goes back to the House.

The Senate bill also extends the National Flood Insurance Program through May 31.

The Senate also has approved a measure, H.R. 4213, that would extend the subsidy to employees laid off through Dec. 31, but the House has yet to act on the proposal.