Maria Cantwell: “I rise to talk about the unemployment trust fund issue that has us basically stalled on Senate business; the fact that…”

“I rise to talk about the unemployment trust fund issue that has us basically stalled on Senate business; the fact that several weeks ago we had an unemployment benefit amendment that was part of the UC request for amendments to the FSC/ETI bill done, and yesterday it was in the queue to be considered; then after it was actually offered on the floor, after 10 minutes of debate and discussion, basically the amendment was pulled. Somebody objected to scheduling a vote on it. For weeks we have been assuming there was a finite list of amendments and it was agreed that this amendment was going to be voted on. I don't even know that we need to have more time to discuss it. I know now that there are those on the other side of the aisle who don't want to have a vote on it. Maybe leadership will be able to work out an agreement to have a vote. But when we have moved toward giving the American people some hope that we were going to discuss unemployment benefits in support of those millions of workers who have lost their jobs, they find out now there may not be a vote at all. I don't think it is surprising that the Dayton Daily News last month basically said the GOP leaders were still dodging the jobless.”