Dan Coats: “I would like to discuss the legislation currently under consideration. But I want to begin by briefly discussing how we…”

“I would like to discuss the legislation currently under consideration. But I want to begin by briefly discussing how we arrived at this point. In January, I was one of a few on our side of the aisle who voted to begin debate on the bill to extend unemployment insurance benefits. I said at the time--and I still believe today--that the Senate should have a full and open debate on this important issue, a debate that includes consideration of modifications and changes to the program. The President, after all, said the program needs reforms. This is an opportunity to implement those reforms. Members on both sides of the aisle--Republicans and Democrats--have acknowledged the need for reforms. So my vote to consider this legislation early on, when it came up, was not about supporting or opposing an extension of the emergency unemployment insurance program, but it was about initiating a debate on this important topic and setting the stage for both sides to work together to find a credible way of paying for this extension, if it was granted, and having responsible reforms in terms of amending or changing the current law so we could avoid some of the duplication and some of the misuse of funds that go into this particular program. So those two things--a responsible pay-for and measures to reform the program--were critical.…”