Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid once again tried to bring a bill to the floor this morning that would extend unemployment benefits, this time enlisting Republican Sen. Susan Collins (ME) to introduce the motion for unanimous consent in an effort to convince Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) to drop his filibuster.
But Bunning continued to object.
Collins, introducing the motion, said it has support on both sides of the aisle, and added that Republicans wanted it done last week. Reid added that, “We need to vote,” and pleaded with Bunning to drop his objection. Bunning has been holding up a vote on the legislation, which would extend jobless benefits past Feb. 28. The hold is affecting about 400,000 people, according to the Department of Labor.
“I would hope that my friend from Kentucky will reconsider,” Reid said. “You’ve made your point, you made it well. I understand how you feel that this should be paid for. The majority of the Senate disagrees with you. Let us either vote on that, or withdraw your objection.”
“I object,” Bunning said.
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