John Sarbanes: “Senate majority Republicans might take a moment--or even a vote--to extend reassurance to the nation's millions of…”

“Senate majority Republicans might take a moment--or even a vote--to extend reassurance to the nation's millions of unemployed tonight during the 30-hour ersatz "filibuster" they plan to protest the Democrats' blocking of President Bush's more extremist judicial appointees. But out there in real life, federal emergency unemployment benefits are scheduled to expire on Dec. 31 with no sign of notice from the Republicans in Congress. A year ago, they blithely quit the Capitol and let the unemployed stew through the holidays before retroactively approving a benefit extension that was far too modest. I recall that very well because I was involved in the effort last year to try to extend these unemployment insurance benefits and the Congress left. It went home. The unemployment benefits ran out. People found themselves in absolutely dire circumstances. Nearly 9 million workers are unemployed today. There are another 4.8 million, just under 5 million Americans, who want full-time jobs but can only find part-time work.”