The legislative slog to approve an unemployment benefit extension continues. Last night, the Senate voted by an 85-2 margin for cloture on H.R. 3548. Most reporters (myself included) thought that motion limited debate for good, ensuring that a final vote on the bill could be held as early as tomorrow morning. But Republicans, who are bent on thwarting the measure, still have more one arrow in their quiver, according to Congress Daily's Peter Cohn (subscription required):
Monday's vote cut off debate on the substitute amendment from Majority Leader Reid and Finance Chairman Max Baucus adding the tax breaks to the underlying unemployment insurance bill. Another cloture vote, this time on the amended bill, could occur as late as 11:40 tonight unless Republicans yield back time or agree to vitiate cloture. Even if cloture is invoked, Republicans would have up to another 30 hours to debate, pushing final passage off until Thursday.
What's worse, the House was ready to vote on the more generous Senate version as soon passed. But the delay means that the unemployment bill must now compete for floor space with health care legislation. It's not yet clear when they will squeeze it in.
To be clear, this is a bill that has broad bipartisan support. It passed the House and both Senate cloture votes with overwhelmingly majorities. But because of the upper chamber's ridiculous supermajority requirement and a goofy procedural rule intended to save senators from actually performing filibusters, a small band of Republicans can delay legislation at will. As a result, more desperate Americans will lose out on crucial resources in this time of need.
We'll keep track of all the legislative details as they are leaked.
UPDATE (2:27 pm): Curious how many Americans have exhausted their benefits since the GOP put the breaks on H.R. 3548? The Senate Democrats have a ticker on their website. As of 2:25 pm on Tuesday, the total is about 186,000.
UPDATE (6:03 p.m.): The Senate just adjourned today, with Sen. Dick Durbin confirming that the chamber will hold a third (and hopefully final) cloture vote at 12:15 p.m. ET tomorrow. He had some more harsh words for his Republican colleagues:
DURBIN: How will we ever explain to the people who are struggling from day to day to feed their families while they look for a job why it took us 27, 28 days to extend unemployment benefits in the United States Senate? … I'm glad that it appears we're going to finally move to it tomorrow -- four weeks after we started. I don't understand how you can be for family values and not stand up for these families when they're facing the toughest challenges of their lives.
Comments
Cara on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 11:58
OMG!! What in the World !!
julib on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:33
Adam,
Is this something that the Republicans can continue to do indefintely or is their some type of trigger that would end the calls for cloture votes and demand a final vote? At this point it seems that at this rate they could hold it up forever!
Thanks
dsteven9 on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:35
Talking about "GUMMING UP"...the obstructionist need a real swift kick in the you know what.
What is wrong with these vindictive people. They are surely believing that they are playing a game. Republicans are so like the jealous ex-who is miserable and wants everyone else to be to be miserable as well. I'm sad these people exist.
Really!
julib on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:36
No more voting Republican for me!! EVER!!
dsteven9 on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:36
OH, by the way, thanks Adam for keeping us abreast.
Adam Doster on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 13:36
Julib,
Last night, the Senate effectively voted to end debate on the two amendments that were added to the bill. In essence, finalizing the language on those amendments crated one more step. Tomorrow, the chamber can end debate by voting for cloture on the final language of the entire bill, including those two amendments. If the procedural hurdle is cleared -- it likely will be -- the Senate will wait 30 more hours than pass the bill for good, probably by the end of the week.
In other words, the GOP has run out of roadblocks.
In The Same Boat on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 13:43
Adam,
So what day does that bring us to? Thursday?
julib on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 13:49
Thanks Adam, This I think will come as good news to all the thousands of people who have already or will be losing their benefits soon. This website has been an invaluable tool that I check every day. Thanks again for all your hard work!!
Juli
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 13:59
Have they even started on the subject? I was away so i didnt see what went on when they came back.
In The Same Boat on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 14:03
They talked about it for a few minutes, then they went on to health care.
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 14:23
no wonder they get nothing done...they side track too much
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 14:36
alright Durbin KICK IT IN!!!!
americausa on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 14:42
13 reason the country remains in a depression. All republicans. They will drag this bill out until Thanksgiving, and act like its a gift to the unemployed. They do not serve the people, America vote these people out. Pass this list to everyone.
Sen. John Barrasso [R, WY]
Sen. Christopher Bond [R, MO]
Sen. Jim Bunning [R, KY]
Sen. Thomas Coburn [R, OK]
Sen. John Cornyn [R, TX]
Sen. Jim DeMint [R, SC]
Sen. Michael Enzi [R, WY]
Sen. Lindsey Graham [R, SC]
Sen. Orrin Hatch [R, UT]
Sen. James Inhofe [R, OK]
Sen. Jefferson Sessions [R, AL]
Sen. David Vitter [R, LA]
Sen. Roger Wicker [R, MS]
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 14:43
he got side tracked too
Kevin M on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 15:42
Yes, but his "sidetrack" is a worthy one of veterans dying because of the crappy VA system. The fact he even had the time and opportunity to talk about this is due to the obstruction of Senate Republicans on the Unemployment vote.
rose on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 16:04
OMG another wait! I so dam tired of all this waiting, as Im sure the rest of you are too. I need money like last month!! DAM THEM!
casey18 on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 18:07
Does this mean this will not be passed this week?
Josh Kalven on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 18:15
See the update above, everyone. As we expected, there is going to be a third cloture vote (and perhaps a final vote) tomorrow afternoon.
Annie on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:14
The 13 Republicans dragging out this bill have no conscience. How can they sleep at night?
krouse215 on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:31
I've been following the post with this site since the unemployment delima, This site really is great, I'm from Philadelphia, and had to come here just for the most up to date news on unemployment. Sorry to say this Illinois, but I think the site should be world news now...I did not even have to register, because most people have the same promble I have, and the same questions, so i'm wondering if other unregistered users are watching, Love this site.
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:52
Basically today was a waste of time as has been the past month or more.
In The Same Boat on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:32
That's all the republicans want to do, waste time.
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:36
If thats what they want to do.....they sure cant say its "Job security"
Cara on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:10
I will Never vote Republican !! I will always remember this time. I have worked my entire life as a professional "Nurse" and have worked for the past 17 years. The one time I had to rely on our government, they let me down. The Republicans let me and all of you in my situation down. Life has gotten so hard, I have criminal thought's every single day- I can see how desperate one can get to become a criminal to feed their kids. Its terrible!!
jay in illinois on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:41
Good for Sen. Dick Durbin, looks like he might be one that does have a heart, but he also gets off track and start on the health care. Hopefully we don't get our hearts broke again. Only thing on the news is about this election and health care while we are again put on the back burner. We need someone on the news to start speaking up for us.
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:47
You got that right... "back burner".... my butt is smoking
bmarcus on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 23:17
When will my state be able to PAY ME??B. Marcus
GW IN IL on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 23:22
nobody will be paid till they pass the bill!!!
they need to get off their butts and quit playing games.
bmarcus on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 23:18
Will House and Pres have it soon after 12:15 Wed.??
B. Marcus
joe.anderson on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 01:49
WHERE IS THE EFFING OUTRAGE?!
This should be a HUGE story covered by all media. This isn't just a minor bill that doesn't mean anything being blocked.
People have probably died this month because of the republicans. Folks have definitely become homeless. Despite that, we see stupid stories on celebrities or dumb criminals. The most we get is a line about the bill being "tangled up" in the Senate at the end of a story about the Homebuyers' Tax Credit.
If it takes it, Dick Durbin should stand on his head or call Mitch McConnell an A-hole on the Senate floor. That might get some attention. I could scream watching these Dem Senators being so polite to these jerks. Some kind of attention needs to be drawn to this. If the Senators wont do it, we should. Is there no one in a red state who is unemployed who is willing to camp out on their lawn?
You know what rethuglicans, if you want to stall healthcare reform or gun control, fine do it. Those are long term policy agendas. But UI has an immediate, daily impact on millions RIGHT NOW. People cannot do without it.
But because you are little babies who lost the election, you have literally put children out on the street so you can play your little game. Even if I agreed with every single thing you believed in, I would never become a member of the republican party because you care nothing about the people you supposedly represent. You literally make me physically ill.
In The Same Boat on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 07:56
I found this site today, gives a lot of info about today.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CCAL-111scal-2009-11-04/html/CCAL-111scal-2...
rose on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 08:34
another day of waiting...hoping...praying...wishing on a star...everything crossed
mkx on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 09:04
so if the seante passes this today when can we expect to be voted on the House of reps?
LoveD80s on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 09:48
do you guys believe this has a GOOD POSSIBILITY that will be passed today? I think they work tomorrow, and heard the House will work next wee. Any comment will be most appreciated!
ThurstinCT on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 10:41
Does anyone have any input on the following House Bill? :
H.R. 155, The Suspension of Federal Income Tax on Unemployment Benefits Act of 2009
Kevin M on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:17
It is stuck in committee hell. See this link:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-155
Kevin M on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:40
The cloture measure passed 97 to 1.
The No votes were:
Sen. Jim DeMint [R, SC]
mkx on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:49
So does the senate have yet another vote? I am confused or was this the final passage today and it now goes to the House? Any input would help
annie in new york on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 12:00
yes, the final vote still has not been taken. this was just done to bring an end to the debate on the bill....i believe that there is another 30 hrs before the final vote is taken...and then it has to be reconciled with the house version.
annie in new york on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 12:03
finally, this was passed 97-1. Perhaps the Reps are feeling a bit generous following the election results in the country last night, so they will finally stop the game playing in the senate and pass this bill.
Sen. Durbin has been on this from day 1, however, I just saw my own senator Schumer talk about this for the first time today...either way, I hope this can be done and on the Presidents desk by the end of this week.
By the way, Josh and everyone else on this site, I just want to say thank you because it has been a lifeline in terms of the valuable information that it provides.
frustrated in new york!!
annie in new york on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 12:04
...
turnersom on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:58
For clarification, the just passed cloture vote (finally) moves the bill to a floor vote within 30 hours.
However, by unanimous consent from yesterday, this new cloture is invoked as if it was in fact invoked last night at 11:45 pm EST. Thus, even though the vote just passed, the 30 hour clock has in effect, been running since last night.
Thus, the 30 hours will be up at 5:45 EST tomorrow morning.
Yes, if possible and all parties agreed, they could vote on it before then and Sen. Schumer’s comments earlier, would lead one to believe that it could happen.
Mrasay on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 12:29
turnersome,
I believe the clock was ticking since 11:45AM est yesterday. I got the info from here... http://www.senate.gov/galleries/pdcl/
The Senate will convene at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 and will be in a period of Morning Business for two hours. Following Morning Business, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R. 3548 (Unemployment Insurance Extension of 2009). All post-cloture time on Baucus amend #2712 (Substitute amendment) will be considered expired and the amendment will be agreed to by Unanimous Consent. At 12:15 PM, the Senate will vote on the Motion to Invoke Cloture on the H.R. 3548 (Unemployment Insurance Extension of 2009). If cloture is invoked, the post-cloture time will begin running as if cloture was invoked at 11:45 AM on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
Josh Kalven on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 12:35
Another cloture vote passed, another new thread:
http://progressillinois.com/2009/11/4/ui-closer-passage-senate
Head on over, folks.
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