Reid: We Need One More Senator to Pass Unemployment Extension

[babylonsister]

Not one rethug will sign on to this??

http://washingtonindependent.com/90695/reid-we-need-one...


Reid: We Need One More Senator to Pass Unemployment Extension
By Annie Lowrey 6/30/10 1:33 PM


Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is telling reporters that he has the votes of two Republicans for his extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits. He also says he is one vote away from having 60 senators to vote for cloture on the bill, which would then move forward to a final vote.

Though there are currently 58 members who caucus with the Democrats, meaning the addition of two Republicans brings the number to 60, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) is not in support of Reid’s bill. “If we had Senator Byrd’s replacement we would have 60,” Reid told The Hill. “We have to wait and see what a couple of Republicans do.” The two Republicans are most likely Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, both of whom have signaled they would be willing to vote for a standalone measure.

A Senate Democratic aide says gaining the 60th vote with both Collins and Snowe likely on board is proving extremely difficult — because Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has indicated he will not vote for the proposal. This morning, he released a deficit-neutral version of the unemployment extension bill, paying for the benefits by taking money from the stimulus. If he or another Republican does not come around, Senate Democrats might have to wait until after the July 4 recess — when Sen. Robert Byrd’s replacement is in place — to pass the motion. More than 300,000 unemployed persons would lose extended benefits in the meantime — adding to the 1.2 million current toll.

The cloture vote will likely happen tomorrow. Reid told The Hill the homebuyer tax credit portion of the bill might pass under unanimous consent today.

[closeupready]

1. This is bullshit. Why do they need 60? Last time I checked, 51% is sufficient.

Republicans aren't going to filibuster a bill to extend unemployment benefits, not in this recession.

[sabbat hunter]

4. unless they have cloture

to end debate on the bill it cannot be moved to a floor vote.

[closeupready]

5. thanks, I didn't understand that.

n/t

[sabbat hunter]

9. no sweat

[Arkana]

16. Cloture.

That's been the problem from the beginning.

Republicans won't even allow these bills the courtesy of an up or down vote because we need 60 votes to get the damn thing to the floor.

[sabbat hunter]

17. and they loved

blaming the dems when they were in the minority of doing the same thing, even though they rarely used it. I say next time there is a R president and an R senate, the dems close ranks and block everything just like the Rs.

[laughingliberal]

19. Yeah, I wouldn't hold my breath til Democrats decide to stand up and do that.

Hoping we won't be the minority party again but if we are, I'm assuming we'll cave to the right just as we do now.

[vi5]

2. Well, as long as he's not too pushy...

...and as long as he doesn't offend anybody or get too aggresive. We wouldn't want anything like that to happen.

And please, please, PLEEEEASE make sure he doesn't go on TV and talk about how Republicans are blocking unemployment benefits in a time of 9.7 percent unemployment and about how obstructionist they are being to getting the American people assistance. Because we all know that isn't how the Republicans would handle things so we need to make sure the Democrats don't do that.

Take the high road, Harry. It's worked wonders for us so far.

[emulatorloo]

3. Sorry, the TV doesn't show Harry Reid. Not time for him between the wall to wall Republicans.

[LWolf]

6. And meanwhile, the unemployed have been notified. nt

[ThomWV]

7. The nation needs to know nothing will improve until we have more Democrats

because the Party of No sure as hell ain't gonna do nuttin'

[Kimmey]

8. RE: Reid: We Need One More Senator to Pass Unemployment Extension

Thank you for posting this! My family is affected by the disgusting Republican decision to say NO to EVERYTHING! Nothing in this country has ever happened for THE PEOPLE until the people marched the streets in revolt. I WANT THAT REVOLT! We need to gather up the masses and fight. The Dems in the Senate are NOT fighting hard enough and I am tired of waiting to see if I will be the next homeless person. I have worked for the same company for 10 years but my husband was the real bread winner. He lost his job over a year ago and we have downsized all we can. We have children who are suffering from this as these jackasses sit there with their coiffed hair, make-up, and expensive suits to basically call all the unemployed lazy druggies! I have had enough. It's time to rise up, LET'S ORGANIZE! Power to the People can happen!

[prolesunited]

11. Well said

Welcome to DU. I'm sorry for your hardships. If this doesn't pass, I have no idea how I will pay the mortgage next month.

My garden is growing well. Maybe I'll set up a stand on the street corner.

[Jennicut]

10. It will be passed after July 4th but no one should have to wait for this.

Reid is milquetoast and the filibuster is crap but the blame should be on the Rethugs who won't vote for it. They are disgusting.
Countdown is on until Byrd's replacement (who hopefully will vote for it).

[prolesunited]

13. Yeah, like unemployed people have tons of money just laying around

Even if they do cover the previous weeks, it doesn't help anyone pay the bills or the rent right now.

But, I guess the GOP will have accomplished their goal. It's pissing off a lot of Dems and showcasing the weakness of the Dems.

I wish politicians would worry more about helping people in this country than winning the next election like they are mutually exclusive. If they help people, they will get re-elected.

[Jennicut]

14. Rethugs care about one thing only....the very rich, the very powerful.

Dems can suck sometimes too but there are enough that give a damn that make it worthwhile for me to vote for them.

[laughingliberal]

20. True. Of course Ben Nelson is voting with them on this. One vote away means he could fix it. nt

[Yavin4]

12. Fuck Senate Rules. Grow Some Balls and Pass The Fucking Bill.

People's lives and families are on the line here. Fuck the cloture vote and pass the goddam extension.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

15. Oo! Oo! Oo! Pick me! Pick me!

I'll be a senator!

[W_HAMILTON]

18. Why wouldn't a "moderate" Republican senator...

...stand up and vote for this, knowing that it will immediately help many Americans and that it will eventually pass once Byrd's replacement gets there? Have they no shame?

I have problems with Democrats every now and then, but this type of shit is the reason I will never vote for a Republican as long as I live. What a despicable bunch of bastards.

[laughingliberal]

21. Looks as if Snowe and Collins are on board. Ben Nelson, OTOH, is not. nt