Senate Republicans Block Extension of Unemployment Benefits

On Thursday, on the Senate floor, Republicans blocked millions of Americans from continuing to receive unemployment benefits. With states experiencing record unemployment numbers, slowing down unemployment benefits when Americans need it most is inexcusable.

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), on behalf of Republicans, objected to Extending Unemployment Benefits. Kyl said, “I have no doubt that at the appropriate time we’ll be able to work out some kind of agreement. But our side is going to need some time to look at it. We’ll need some republican ideas or amendments as well and need a CBO score. So at this time I’ll have to – on behalf of members on our side – impose an objection.” [Senate Floor, 10/8/09]

Bill Extends Unemployment Assistance Up to 14 Weeks. By the end of this year, nearly 2 million Americans will see their unemployment benefits expire. The comprehensive legislation to extend unemployment insurance would give those jobless Americans up to fourteen more weeks of unemployment benefits. [Senate Finance Committee, 10/8/09]

Unemployment Extension is “Fully Paid For.” The proposal is fully paid for by extending the Federal Unemployment Tax through June 30, 2011. [Senate Finance Committee, 10/8/09]

Unemployment is at Record Highs. Currently, US unemployment is at a “26-year high of 9.8 percent.” [AFP, 10/8/09]

In the Past Two Years, Number of Unemployed Americans Has Nearly Doubled. “Since the start of the recession nearly two years ago, the number of unemployed has increased by 7.6 million to 15.1 million.” [AFP, 10/8/09]


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