Republicans STILL delaying vote on unemployment extensions

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Republicans delay vote on unemployment extension

And you thought the standoff over unemployment benefits was over!

Right now, as we speak, Senate Republicans continue to file a bunch of motions that could delay the vote on extending unemployment benefits for as long as another day.

This is key: It's a reminder that Republicans intend to continue to try to block the extension, unless its costs are offset, for as long as possible. Nobody is focused on this, but Republicans actually see a political upside for themselves in this standoff.

I'm told that Republicans are filing the motions because Senator Harry Reid says he doesn't want to allow votes on amendments that are designed to offset the extension's costs. Reid wants to proceed with the full vote. Senator Tom Coburn just filed a motion to suspend the rules, and Republicans are resolved to sit tight in hopes of forcing a vote on it.

"Republicans are declaring an all-out war on unemployed Americans," Reid spokesman Jim Manley emails. "Even though Democrats have the votes to give unemployed workers the safety net they deserve, Republicans are callously delaying the vote for an entire day. There are people literally waiting for this assistance to buy food and pay their bills while they search for work. Why should they suffer for another day?"

Just when I think I've seen the full depth of their petty meanness they prove me wrong.

[tridim]

1. The latest RW smear is still providing cover for their obstruction

All by design IMO.

[old mark]

2. I am hoping every unemployed person in the US is aware of this, even though

some of them will still vote republican...for some reason.


mark

[CrownPrinceBandar]

3. I feel the same way...........

Just when I thought we'd seen the bottom of this deplorable behavior, they do something like this. This accomplishes nothing other than putting on the squeeze on some poor folks who have NEVER been denied their benefits before, even during Republican administrations. These tough folks are taking their stand on the week and helpless. Totally disgusting.

[DCBob]

4. CSPAN2 says vote scheduled for 9pm est unless an "agreement" is made earliier..

unbelievable. WTF do these assholes think they are gaining?!? They cant stop the bill from passing. It must be some perverse entertainment for Republicans to make people suffer. Sad.

[marmar]

5. Republicans hate Americans passionately......

nt

[gratuitous]

6. Process vs. Results

And we see, once again, Republican devotion to process. They can't sell their defeat as a reason to vote for them, so they'll say "We held it up as long as we possibly could." And that will be good enough for the selfish moos who make up their constituency. They don't care about the results, just about fighting their good fight. Democrats might learn a little lesson from that. We don't have to be mean, selfish people, but putting up a fight even in a losing effort can yield a whole lot of good will and respect from your constituents.

[Bitwit1234]

7. This should be out in full force on the media but the news readers

on cable and network are working overtime to flame and smear the white house. They don't have time to go after what is really causing this country to tumble REPUBLICANS AND THEIR SELF CENTERED MONEY GRABBING HANDS. They would rather protect a big corporation than feed hungry children. I wish that when they do pass each and every one rots in hell, if there is such a place. And if there was a God how come he doesn't seek retribution from the NOW. If I were a republican in congress I would be afraid very very afraid for what God has in store for them.

[EC]

8. What's the point?

Why are they doing this...it won't stop anything, just delay it and that doesn't help them. So, what's the point?

[lillypaddle]

9. What we need

are another 4,000 Sherrod threads on DU.

[scheming daemons]

10. If any of the 15 million unemployed (except those in Maine) votes GOP in November...

....they should have their benefits stopped.

Only the Democrats, plus two Senators from Maine, cared enough about them to extend the benefits.



If you're unemployed, and you vote Republican in any of the other 49 states, you are saying that you don't want those benefits. So you shouldn't get them.

[rbixby]

11. Can they offset it with

expiring tax cuts for the richest 1%?