Senate passes jobless aid package. Scott Brown votes against it

[ProSense]

US Senate passes jobless aid package

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US Senate on Thursday passed a two-month extension of unemployment benefits, overcoming Republican opposition that stalled the aid package when the programs expired at the end of March.

Lawmakers voted 59-38 to approve the measure, which now goes to the House of Representatives. Approval there would send the bill to President Barack Obama to sign into law.

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The legislation, estimated to cost 18 billion dollars, also extends a stopgap health insurance program, a small business loan program, satellite television licensing, and national flood insurance.

Republicans had opposed the measure on grounds that it was not paid for, and would swell the ballooning US deficit.

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Roll Call

NAYs ---38
Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brown (R-MA)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
LeMieux (R-FL)
Lugar (R-IN)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)

[Arkana]

1. Something else for MA residents to love him for!

Keep digging that grave, Senator Softcore...

[maxsolomon]

2. Tealiban please note what your R's voted against.

extending unemployment benefits in the middle of the worst recession since the Depression. every single one of them.

[DCBob]

3. Snowe and Collins -- Yea

Yeah!! Bipartisanship!!

[Kdillard]

4. Finally this was held up by Republicans long enough. I couldn't believe all the things

That were being held up besides the unemployment aide.

[Cha]

5. What lovely pod like

senators he's keeping company with.

I just know a Democratic potential in Mass, who's going to campaing in 2012 for Senator or is going to help the candidate, is keeping strict records on the freshman senator from Mass.

"QUOTE OF THE DAY.... Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) was asked for his opinion yesterday on the financial regulatory reform bill advancing in the Senate. "I can't support it,'' he said.

Explaining why, the Republican said one of his main concerns is that the legislation is "going to be an extra layer of regulation." Which is, of course, true. That's the point of the legislation. The financial industry went unchecked and nearly destroyed the global economy. That's why the legislation is being considered -- to bring oversight and accountability through regulation.

What was especially interesting, though, is hearing the confused senator try to explain how he'd like to see the legislation improve. (thanks to reader R.L.)

Brown left open the possibility that he could support a compromise.

"I want to see when it's going to come up, how it's going to come up,'' he said. "I'm always open to trying to work something through so it is truly bipartisan.''

Brown, whose vote could be critical as Democrats seek to find a GOP member to avoid a filibuster, assiduously avoided talking about specifics.

When asked what areas he thought should be fixed, he replied: "Well, what areas do you think should be fixed? I mean, you know, tell me. And then I'll get a team and go fix it.''

To clarify, when the senator asked "Well, what areas do you think should be fixed?" he was talking to a reporter who wanted to know what kind of changes he hoped to see.

Brown went on to say that he finds the notion of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency problematic because "it's more government." He added, "Is that good? ... If it's an area we need to fix, then I'm certainly open to it. But I haven't heard that that's the biggest thing that's problematic with it.''

Do you ever get the feeling that maybe Scott Brown isn't quite ready for prime-time, and that his service in the Senate is more humiliating than it should be?"

—Steve Benen 2:05 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (34)
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