In the Senate there is a bill in limbo for continuing unemployment benefits. Prior to the depression we’ve experienced, unemployment benefits ended at 26 weeks. These benefits had been extended. In some states they were up to 99 weeks. By not passing this bill, roughly 1.3 million people will stop receiving unemployment assistance almost immediately. This is happening in a time where many states have unemployment rates exceeding 10%. This bill which would continue unemployment benefits failed a cloture vote. I compiled a year ago a list of Senators that supported the bailout of Wall Street executives and opposed supporting autoworkers and workers employed at auto suppliers. Among those people, these are the one’s voting for the unemployed to eat cake.
Bob Bennett, R-UT (7.3%)
Richard Burr, R-NC (10.3%)
Saxby Chambliss, R-GA (10.2%)
Tom Coburn, R-OK (6.7%)
Bob Corker, R-TN (10.4%)
John Ensign, R-NV (14.0%)
Chuck Grassley, R-IA (10.0%)
Judd Gregg, R-NH (6.4%)
Orrin Hatch, R-UT (7.3%)
Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-TX (8.3%)
Johnny Isakson, R-GA (10.2%)
John Kyl, R-AZ (9.6%)
John McCain, R-AZ (9.6%)
Mitch McConnell, R-KY (10.4%)
John Thune, R-SD (4.6%)
Dishonorable mentions for Senators voting for the unemployed to eat cake with state unemployment rates exceeding 10%.
Sessions, R-AL (10.8%)
Shelby, R-AL (10.8%)
LeMieux, R-FL (11.7%)
Lugar, R-IN (10.0%)
Bunning, R-KY (10.4%)
Cochran, R-MS (11.4%)
Wicker, R-MS (11.4%)
Voinovich, R-OH (10.7%)
DeMint, R-SC (11.0%)
Graham, R-SC (11.0%)
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