WASHINGTON, DC-Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today voted for legislation that would extend unemployment insurance and the 65 percent COBRA subsidy by one month. These benefits are set to expire on Sunday. Senators Jim Bunning (R-KY) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) are blocking an extension in order to secure changes to the estate tax.
“Senator Bunning and Senator Kyl should be ashamed of themselves,” Hare said. “To deny assistance to the neediest Americans during a recession in order to give tax cuts to multi-millionaires is simply unconscionable. I challenge them both to go to the Senate floor for a filibuster and explain to the American people what they are thinking.”
Hare has been an outspoken advocate of extending both unemployment insurance and COBRA assistance. On February 12, he led a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) calling on them to include an extension in any jobs bill.
The one month extension just passed by the House is expected to be considered by the Senate tomorrow.
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