Obama Blames GOP for Failure of Senate Jobs Bill
Posted:
06/25/10
President Obama took it out on Republicans after the Senate failed for a second time to pass a $112 billion bill extending jobless benefits and offering aid to help financially strapped state governments keep police, firefighters and teachers on payrolls.
The legislation failed Thursday when Democratic sponsors fell three votes short of getting the three-fifths majority needed to break a GOP-inspired filibuster. Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska joined a united Republican caucus in stalling final action on the measure.
"By blocking an up or down vote on this legislation, Republicans in the Senate obstructed a common-sense package that would save jobs, extend tax cuts for businesses, and provide relief for American families who have suffered through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Democrats had rejected a Republican alternative that would have financed the costly bill by making cuts in other government spending, The Washington Post said.
Extended unemployment benefits -- up to 99 weeks -- were cut off for lack of authorization on June 2, ending payments to 1.2 million people.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could try again to break the filibuster. And Gibbs said Obama "will continue to press Congress" to pass the bill.
The legislation failed Thursday when Democratic sponsors fell three votes short of getting the three-fifths majority needed to break a GOP-inspired filibuster. Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska joined a united Republican caucus in stalling final action on the measure.
"By blocking an up or down vote on this legislation, Republicans in the Senate obstructed a common-sense package that would save jobs, extend tax cuts for businesses, and provide relief for American families who have suffered through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Democrats had rejected a Republican alternative that would have financed the costly bill by making cuts in other government spending, The Washington Post said. Extended unemployment benefits -- up to 99 weeks -- were cut off for lack of authorization on June 2, ending payments to 1.2 million people.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could try again to break the filibuster. And Gibbs said Obama "will continue to press Congress" to pass the bill.