Millions of unemployed Americans are one step closer to having their jobless benefits restored.
The Senate overcame a GOP filibuster to extend unemployment benefits through November. The measure had the bare minimum of votes needed for the Senate to end the debate on it, passing 60 to 40. Only 51 votes are needed for final passage. Following that extension U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following statement.
"I believe that unemployed Texans should receive the assistance for which they are eligible, but it is important to ensure that extending full federal funding of unemployment benefits does not further increase our deficit. On five separate occasions, my colleagues and I have supported extending unemployment benefits that were fully offset and Senate Democrats objected each time. When given the option to pay for these benefits with unused stimulus funds, the President and congressional Democrats chose adding to the country's red ink over fiscal responsibility."
Senator Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary, Agriculture, and Budget Committees.
The Senate still needs to put its final stamp of approval on the bill. If that happens, the measure will go back to the House for a vote, before heading to President Obama's desk for his signature.
