WASHINGTON – On Monday, the US Senate approved a bill extending long-term unemployment benefits for millions of Americans for the next five months.
The Senate voted 59 to 38 – with 6 Republicans joining Democrats – in favor of the long-contested bill restoring funding for extended unemployment benefits for 2.3 million persons.
President Obama said the Senate acted in a bipartisan way to reinstate emergency unemployment insurance for 2.3 million Americans who depend on it as they search for work.
“As I’ve said time and again, Washington needs to put politics aside and help these hard-working, responsible Americans make ends meet and support their families as they look for a job,” President Obama said. He then urged the House to pick up where the Senate left off and approve the bill and send it to his desk to be signed.
“Each week Congress fails to act on this crucial issue, roughly 70,000 long-term unemployed Americans lose their vital economic lifeline. I urge House Republicans to stop blocking a bipartisan compromise that would stem this tide, take up the bill without delay, and send it to my desk. Let’s remove this needless drag on our economy and focus on expanding opportunity for all Americans.”
Tennessee Republican Senator Lamar Alexander voted against the legislation.
“This bill does not contain a single proposal to help grow the economy or encourage hiring. Republicans have many good ideas for helping the 10.5 million unemployed Americans find a job, but the Democratic leader has cut off amendments and debate on all of them.”
Prospects in the House look less optimistic, as a number of Republican legislators are staunchly opposed to the bill.
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