Senate votes to move forward on jobless benefits with four Republican votes

Democrats spent their break blaming Republicans for hurting unemployed Americans by not extending benefits while Republicans were critical of too much spending. Sen. Tom Coburn held up the bill before recess, arguing that the $9-billion measure should be offset. 

“Those who continue to use the taxpayer credit card with reckless abandon threaten not only our chances for a quick recovery and the jobs it would create, but also the nation’s long-term fiscal security, and a safety net that’s been built up over the decades precisely for moments like this,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said today on the floor. 

This bill won’t end the debate — the House and the Senate have passed larger jobs bill that include longer extensions of unemployment benefits. Members of both chambers are expected to push for paying for the bigger bills. 

The measure will head to President Barack Obama’s desk if the Senate passes it unchanged. The House passed the measure last month.