Unemployment Extension Extension Extension

Another bill to extend unemployment benefits of up to 99 weeks for people that have not found work is in the Senate. Republicans voted it down due to objections about the deficit but it is likely to pass when put to a second vote. On Monday, four Republicans helped Democrats defeat a filibuster by other Republicans seeking to block the Senate from taking up the bill: Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, Voinovich and Scott Brown of Massachusetts. "Specifically at issue in Wednesday's vote was whether to permit the measure to be financed by adding to the $12.8 trillion national debt. Under Senate rules, a successful GOP challenge could require the chamber to come up with ways to pay for the measure." However, we've seen this before and it is not likely to force the Democrats' hand.