Senate Republicans Once Again Say 'No' to Unemployed

It might sound like Deja-Vu to America's unemployed. But once again, Senate Republicans have blocked efforts to pass an extension of filing dates for unemployment benefits.

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans sustained a filibuster on the unemployment measure, as the extension fell short of the 60-vote supermajority needed to overcome it. The vote was 58-38.

Two Republicans--Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe--joined Democrats in voting for the jobless benefits. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska was the lone Democrat to vote against it. The recent death of Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV) also had an impact on the final vote, since he was expected to be the 59th vote in favor of the measure.

This was the latest of several failed attempts by Democrats to extend the jobless benefits, which expired at the end of May. Nelson and most Senate Republicans have criticized the bill because it does not include spending cuts elsewhere in the budget to offset its $34 billion cost. Supporters of the plan have argued that past unemployment bills have not been required to be paid for in advance, since they are considered an "emergency" bill.

Democrats objected to a motion from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R., Ky.) that would have extended the unemployment aid for six months, while offsetting its cost by re-directing unspent stimulus funds. Democrats argued that since unemployment benefits have a stimulus effect on the economy, using stimulus funds to pay for the benefits would be economically counter-productive.

Left out of both sides of this political argument are the more than one million Americans who have already exhausted their unemployment benefits. These unemployed were hoping for a so-called "Tier 5" of additional benefits. Despite the number of economists who argue the additional benefits are needed, neither party has been inclined to battle for the idea.