Reaction to Vote on Unemployment Benefits

A number of House Democrats and House Republicans held separate news conferences in the House Radio and Television Gallery to discuss legislation concerning unemployment benefits passed by the House earlier in the day. The legislation would provide up to 20 extra weeks of unemployment benefits for workers in states hit hardest by the recession, and will cost $6.3 billion. The House voted 283-125 in favor of the measure, 11 votes above the votes needed to overturn a presidential veto. President Bush refused to declare a national emergency in August, which would have been necessary to release funds for a similar bill passed previously by the House. The current legislation was written such that the president would be forced to veto the bill to prevent its passage. House Democrats praised the bill, saying it was about time Americans benefited from relief programs; House Republicans criticized the source of funds for the unemployment benefits program, and stressed their desire to create jobs rather than extend benefits. close