C-SPAN 2 -- Senate voting on extending unemployment benefits

[NewJerseyDem]

It needs 60 votes to waive the Budget Act

So far I've counted that Lincoln Chafee, George Voinovich and Lisa Murkowski are at least 3 republicans who have voted to extend the benefits. I haven't heard many other but I haven't heard a single democrat vote against it.

This is the Cantwell amendment to the Gun Liability bill.

[NewJerseyDem]

1. The amendment failed

It only got 58 votes to 39 votes against. It need 60.

[nostamj]

2. it failed 58-39

Kerry and Edwards are in CA

[NewJerseyDem]

3. True

That's a shame. If only we weren't 2 down, this would have passed. They may be able to pass it on a different bill when Kerry and Edwards are in town.

[northofdenali]

4. Lisa Murkowski has promised her constituents -

of which I'm one, that she will get extended benefits passed somehow before June. Let's see if this is one Republican who'll keep a promise!

[bluedog]

5. some repubs voted for it...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040227/ap_on_go_co/unemployment_benefits_1



WASHINGTON - A Senate measure to extend federal unemployment benefits failed by two votes Thursday despite the election year support of 12 Republicans from states hit hard by layoffs.



Democrats tried to attach the amendment to a gun liability bill, but it failed 58-39 in the GOP-controlled Senate.


snip


Those concerns led 39 Republicans to break rank last month to support a benefits extension in the House.


"This vote sends a clear message to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that we cannot keep ignoring the needs of Americans displaced by this faltering economy," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass.

snip
"I think we have to determine when's enough," said Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla. "And I happen to think that we've crossed that line."


Nickles said jobless workers have more incentive to find a job when the extra unemployment benefits stop. "The more you pay people not to work, the less inclined they are to work," he said.


Republicans voting in favor of the extension were: Sens. Christopher Bond of Missouri, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Elizabeth Dole (news - web sites) of North Carolina, John McCain of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, James Talent of Missouri and George Voinovich of Ohio.


Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia was the only Democrat to oppose the amendment.


*****I read on another board that this would also effect displaced workers who are retraining and collecting...anyone know about this situation?

[rasputin1952]

6. Since I am in the ranks of the unemployed...

nothing will pass until after I run out of benefits.

I think Nicky from OK should get on the unemployment lines...let's see how HE likes it! No matter how 'motivated you are' you can't find jobs that don't exist!

O8)

[bluedog]

7. what happens now

are people suppose to live on the streets..or wait they'll be told to get a job making burgers or stocking at Walmart..we already have our senior citizens doing that..and just how long will those jobs hold out..with no one working..they sure in hell are not going out for fast food.....this is crazy!