GOP Blocks Unemployment Extension

Roll Call: “Senate Democratic leaders plan to again try to extend unemployment insurance after Republicans blocked their latest attempt Thursday.”

“Democratic leaders came up a single vote short of overcoming a GOP filibuster. The final tally was 58-40, short of the 60-vote threshold needed, after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid switched his voted to preserve his right to reconsider the measure.”

New York Times: “Democrats hope to turn the issue into an election-year cudgel and have been blaming Republicans for ignoring people who are out of work. Republicans have balked at that as political smoke.”