Senator Jim Bunning, former major league baseball pitcher, is, I repeat, a real jerk. The Kentucky Republican once again prevented a vote on a bill that would extend eligibility for enhanced unemployment benefits and subsidized health insurance for laid-off workers by 30 days.
If Congress fails to pass an extension, the National Employment Law Project estimates that 1.2 million people will lose their benefits in March. Bunning’s action could cause thousands of people to miss their unemployment checks starting this week, though it’s likely that Congress will pass an extension within the next two weeks that will retroactively cover their losses.
Bunning, who is not running for reelection and apparently not acting with the blessing of GOP leadership.
The cocky SOB is snubbing the national news media. ABC tried to talk with him today catching him as he left his office. Bunning told them “I’m not talking to anybody” walking toward the elevator, shooting a middle finger salute to the ABC reporter.
Majority Senator Leader Harry Reid responded to the Republican’s blocking of the unemployment benefit extension.
We can thank the voters of Kentucky for both Jim Bunning and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, also from Kentucky for that dynamic duo.
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