Barbara Boxer: “I am so pleased that six Republicans--six out of all the Republicans--joined with us--every Democrat present--to reach…”

“I am so pleased that six Republicans--six out of all the Republicans--joined with us--every Democrat present--to reach that magic 60 votes we needed to proceed to consider the unemployment compensation bill. I think it is so important to recognize that Federal unemployment programs have been extended no less than 28 times since 1958--15 times under Republican Presidents and 13 times under Democratic Presidents. So this is nothing new--this is nothing new--and the fact that it has been made such a big deal is incomprehensible given the circumstances of us recovering from the greatest recession since the Great Depression, with a very special number, a very large number. The fact is we have a long-term unemployment rate that is very high, way higher than normal. The fact is, since we have extended Federal unemployment benefits so many times it should not be a problem, it is shocking it is a problem. In November 2008, unemployment insurance was extended with bipartisan support without an offset, which seems to be the excuse the Republicans have for not voting with us. What is very interesting about that is these are the same Republicans who voted to go to war twice and put those wars on the credit card-- never paid for them. These are the same Republicans who voted for tax cuts to billionaires and multimillionaires and never paid for it. Yet still, when it comes to the middle class, oh, they cannot possibly extend unemployment benefits without paying for it.…”