At the end of the year, emergency unemployment insurance benefits for 1.3 million Americans are going to expire because Congress failed to extend them before the House left town. Senate Democrats say they will push for an extension when Congress reconvenes next year, including making up missed payments, but are Senate Republicans ready to help out?
Not looking good:
On Friday, The Huffington Post asked a number of Republican senators whether there have been discussions within their caucus about the expiring unemployment insurance.
"None," said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). "There has been no discussion. It has never come up."
"I haven't heard any discussions yet," said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
"It is not in the budget so I don't expect that it is going to come up," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
"I think we need to look at it. I'd like some more information," said Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.). "But there really hasn't been any discussion."
The only way they'll be forced into action is if Congressional Democrats, the White House, and regular Americans
keep up the pressure. It shouldn't be this hard to get Congress to do something as basic as extending emergency unemployment insurance benefits to unemployed Americans, but sadly, it is.