Murkowski on Unemployment Insurance Extension Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement after voting against a procedural motion to end debate on legislation to extend unemployment benefits and move to a final vote. The motion passed 60 – 40, and the Senate could vote on final passage later today.
“Republicans agree that we should extend unemployment insurance benefits, but we must find a way to pay for them, rather than adding the $33 billion in costs to our already staggering federal debt. Republicans have suggested tapping unspent stimulus funding to pay for an extension of unemployment benefits but Democrats have objected. It is important to note that even President Obama thought it was fiscally responsible to pay for such extensions eight months ago when he signed an earlier extension bill into law. He said, ‘Now, it’s important to note that the bill I signed will not add to our deficit. It is fully paid for, and so it is fiscally responsible.’ Since that time our national debt has grown by $1.25 trillion. I don’t understand why the President thought it right to pay for an extension last November, but now supports adding the cost to the national credit card.”
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