Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Times
June 18, 2008
Pg. 2
Senate Republicans blocked legislation Tuesday that would have given an extra three months of jobless benefits for all unemployed Americans, but congressional Democrats plan to bring the bill back by attaching it to an Iraq war funding measure.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, tried to bring the House-passed unemployment extension bill up for quick consideration in the Senate, but was stymied by an objection from Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the Senate's No. 2 Republican. It takes unanimous agreement to fast track a bill in the Senate.
The House on Thursday passed legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks in all 50 states and the District for workers who exhaust their regular 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. States with an unemployment rate of 6 percent or more would get an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits.
Mr. Kyl noted that the House bill would eliminate a requirement that people work 20 weeks before receiving unemployment benefits, "something I don't think we want to change."
June 18, 2008
Pg. 2
Senate Republicans blocked legislation Tuesday that would have given an extra three months of jobless benefits for all unemployed Americans, but congressional Democrats plan to bring the bill back by attaching it to an Iraq war funding measure.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, tried to bring the House-passed unemployment extension bill up for quick consideration in the Senate, but was stymied by an objection from Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the Senate's No. 2 Republican. It takes unanimous agreement to fast track a bill in the Senate.
The House on Thursday passed legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks in all 50 states and the District for workers who exhaust their regular 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. States with an unemployment rate of 6 percent or more would get an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits.
Mr. Kyl noted that the House bill would eliminate a requirement that people work 20 weeks before receiving unemployment benefits, "something I don't think we want to change."