Dems see backlash coming for GOP after unemployment block

[babylonsister]

Dems see backlash coming for GOP after unemployment block
By Walter Alarkon - 03/29/10 06:00 AM ET

snip//

Earlier this month, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) objected to a quick vote on a $10 billion, month-long extension, only to relent under Democratic criticism and see half of his GOP colleagues vote to clear the package for President Barack Obama's signature. This past week, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) blocked repeated Democratic attempts to vote on another month-long extension with a cost of $9.2 billion. Without the extension, the benefits are set to expire on April 5.

Democrats said that deadline will come and go without a vote, as Congress is scheduled to be out of session for two weeks until April 12. With Coburn standing in the way, Democrats argue Republicans will bear the brunt of criticism for an interruption in benefit checks for thousands of Americans out of work.

"After Sen. Bunning tried to stop this and we were able to get it through, we thought we could at least on an interim basis adopt these provisions and move forward," said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) on Friday.

Approximately 212,000 unemployed Americans would lose benefits in the first week that the unemployment aid extension expires, according to the left-leaning National Employment Law Project.

In addition to extending unemployment insurance, the legislation would prevent scheduled cuts to Medicare payments to doctors; extend COBRA healthcare subsidies for the unemployed; and extend a satellite television licensing agreement that allows rural residents to view network television.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/89543-dems-see-backlash-coming-for-gop-after-unemployment-benefits-impasse

[deacon]

1. Upside down world eh? The GOP don't give a shit about the unemployed

and the dems get blamed for it. Amazing.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Really dumb move by the GOP

It's definitely going to bite them.

[madokie]

3. Visions of newt

just flashed past my eyes. :hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Time for me to get out my old button

[madokie]

7. LOL

You'd think coburn would be smart enough to see what he's doing :rofl:

Maybe he's a RINO and really down deep he's a Dem :scared:

:hi:

[DainBramaged]

5. It will be same ole same ole, we'll get blamed because THEY control the media

You think ANYONE from the Left is going to go on the TeeVee and talk about this? Harry Reid? When was the last time you saw that shitstick appear on TeeVee ANYWHERE? How about Al Franken. Heard from him lately? What about oh _____________________ just fill in the blank with any Dem politician you can think of. NBC gives Rove and Mclame unfettered access, you think any Dem gets the same. FAUX will be beating the drum, M$NBC will be showing Lockup.


With NO ONE to get the message out, the message remains the same, Pukes good, Dems bad. And we'll get blamed.

[Abukhatar]

6. dems get the blame

i bet they'll link the cuts in medicare to the HRC - dems need to get proactive in getting the mssage out and not be reactionary

[Scurrilous]

8. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Bitwit1234]

9. I think it is time some of these stupid rules in the Senate

are done away with. The republicans are causing confusion and obstructions with them. And even if the Democrats were in the minority I don't think bills and programs to help the people of this country should be allowed to whither on the vine because one the personal politics of one asshole.

[mzclinton05]

10. One Loss Too Many

I heard that americans may lose unemployment benefits starting april 5th. I don't know if this is an early april fools joke or what? We all know the national debt is in crisis but what about the unemployed? There's two choices; the people are gonna cuss out congress if they don't do something about jobs or extend unemployment benefits until the end of the year? I can't stress that enough!

[Raineyb]

11. Waited until the last minute to pass it again did they?

Gee you'd think they'd have learned their lesson from last time. Yeah I do blame the Dems for this. They know what rancid pieces of shit they're working with and clearly they think their holidays are more important than making sure others can eat since they left for the holidays. Why did they wait until the last minute again? Did they think something changed from the last time they tried to extend benefits?