Jobless Bill Falls Short in U.S. House
Posted on: Thursday, 12 June 2008, 09:00 CDT
Rushing a vote on a bill extending unemployment benefits didn't get the desired results for U.S. House of Representatives Democrats.
The bill to add 13 weeks of benefits, including 26 additional weeks for those out of work in states with more than 6 percent unemployment, fell three votes short of a required two-thirds majority.
After the 279-144 vote Wednesday, Democrats said they plan to reintroduce the bill under rules that require a simple majority, leaving the bill ample room for passage, The New York Times reported.
Forty-nine Republicans voted for the bill, which the White House opposes, the Times said.
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the House majority leader, called the bill our obligation and responsibility.
But White House spokesman Tony Fratto said it's not fiscally responsible, saying the bill would extend benefits in states with very low unemployment rates.
A benefit extension bill is included in the Iraq war appropriations bill but Democrats were hoping a stand-alone measure would pass the month after the unemployment rate jumped by 0.5 percentage points to 5.5 percent.
You can vote no if you want, Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., one of the bill's authors told House Republicans. You will have to face your constituents in November.
Source: United Press International
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