COBRA subsidies end next week
Senate Nixes Unemployment Extension
Cantwell, Kerry protecting tax breaks for wealthy at expense of unemployed
Maria Cantwell was a bit of a hero yesterday for making the Senate continue to work on Wall Street reform, but news that she is fighting efforts to close a tax loophole that benefits money managers--a necessary revenue raiser for the upcoming unemployment extension and jobs bill--brings her right back down to regular politician status.
...Senate Leaving Town without Extending UI Filing Deadline
Tom Coburn is a more effective foe than Jim Bunning, and after the ultimately empty drama of yesterday's "live quorum," Senate leaders gave up.
Moments ago, the Senate adjourned for a two-week-long spring recess. The last act of business was to schedule a cloture vote on a House-passed measure to extend...
Senate Adjourns for the Night w/out Acting on Extender Bill
The live quorum call strategy apparently didn't work to resolve the Coburn impasse on passing extensions for filing for unemployment benefits under the existing tiers of benefits (not creating a new tier), extend COBRA health benefits, and delay a 21 percent cut scheduled to hit Medicare doctors on April 1, and extend highway...
Reid Calls “Live Quorum” In Senate over UI Extension
You can watch a bit of history (yes, more) on C-SPAN 2 right now. Tom Coburn has decided to play Bunning today, and continuously object to a unanimous consent to allow a vote on an extender bill for unemployment insurance, COBRA, Medicar reimbursements and highway funding. The Senate is at an impasse, with Coburn steadfastly...
Same As It Ever Was
Take yourself back in time 22 days: Bunning's continued craziness makes even Republicans squirm.
Yes, Jim Bunning has been continuously objecting to unanimous consent requests from Democrats that the temporary emergency extension be passed by unanimous consent, because he demands there be a debate on the spending.
They finally forced...
Bunning’s continued craziness makes even Republicans squirm
Sen. Jim Bunning has again blocked the Senate from extending unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for the jobless.
[...]
Bunning has been single-handedly blocking the stopgap legislation since Thursday, to the increasing discomfort of Republicans like [Sen. Susan] Collins. Frustrated Democrats have been lobbing attacks at Bunning and...
Bunning THIS CLOSE to throwing cats!
Crabby-ass Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) is winning friends and influencing people in the media!
But here's the fun part, not captured in the above bug-f***ing crazy video, coming to you via the Twitter account of ABC's Jon Karl
An Irate Jim Bunning kicks me off the elevator "This...
Dems letting Bunning win on UI/COBRA?
Lots of tough talk from Dems on Sen. Jim Bunning's (R-KY) filibuster against the extension of unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits, but no real fight.
Last night, Roll Call (subscription only) was reporting that Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) was ready for a knock-down, drag-out with Bunning over this much-needed...
Senate to Take Up UI/COBRA Extension This Week
Senate leadership is planning to pass a stop-gap 15-day unemployment insurance/COBRA subsidy extension this week. The previous extension expires at the end of the month, and states and businesses have already had to start processing notifications for people dropping off the programs. Advocacy groups worry that it's too little and almost too late.
...
