Unemployment Benefits Expiring for Thousands on Monday

Benefits for thousands of unemployed Americans are set to expire Monday after Sen. Tom Coburn refused to vote last month for a unanimous-consent agreement to extend payments, CNN reports. The one-month extension bill would have cost $10 billion and is usually passed in emergency circumstances, but the Republican from Oklahoma withheld his support until the costs are offset.

Coburn complained that spending without money available would allow Congress to "borrow and steal from our kids."

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) used the same tactic in February when he threatened to filibuster a previous unemployment extension bill that did not pay for itself. After a dramatic debate on the floor, Bunning struck a deal with Harry Reid and allowed the vote to proceed.

The Senate will take up the bill again when it reconvenes on April 12.