The Senate adjourned Friday without approving extensions of cash and health insurance benefits for the unemployed after a lone senator blocked swift passage due to his insistence that Congress first pay for the $10 billion package.
Retiring Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Kentucky, led a spirited Senate debate with Democrats over the issue — at one time cursing at another senator on the floor. Bunning said he doesn’t oppose extending the programs — he just doesn’t want to add to the deficit.
In addition to funding unemployment insurance and the COBRA health insurance program for people who have lost their jobs, the bill would have prevented a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors.
Shows how much Bunning cares for the people. In July 2009, Bunning announced that he would not run for re-election in 2010, citing difficulty in raising campaign funds. Good riddance.
[Source: CNN]
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About Featheriver
Born and raised in Oklahoma. Improved in California. Out to pasture in Nevada.
Born in 1933, Korean War Vet in USAF. Occupation: Criminal Law and Torts. Retired California Lawyer. Now live in Pahrump, Nye County, Nevada.
