A collection of House Democrats expressed frustration Wednesday with Senate Republicans over their continued push against the extension of unemployment benefits.
Speaking at a press conference, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, called Republicans hypocritical for demanding that Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) be offset in the budget, while the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 were not offset by budget cuts.
The House approved the extension earlier this month by 270-153, despite concerns from Republicans over the extension’s $34 billion price tag.
Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) stated that the Senate will likely be unable to pass the package until a new Senator is named to replace the late Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.)
The package, if passed, will extend benefits until November.