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Star Tribune - U.S. House Delegation Divided On Unemployment Extension

News Article

Date: Nov. 18, 2010
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Entitlements and the Safety Net

By Kevin Diaz

On a day when Minnesota's unemployment rate ticked upward to 7.1 percent, the state's U.S. House delegation split 4-4 on a proposed federal extension of unemployment benefits.
Three Minnesota Republicans -- John Kline, Michele Bachmann and Erik Paulsen -- were joined by Blue Dog Democrat Collin Peterson in voting against the measure, which failed 258-154 (it needed a two-thirds vote).

Four other Minnesota Democrats -- Jim Oberstar, Tim Walz, Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison -- voted yes in a procedural vote that would have advanced the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act (H.R. 6419).

Altogether, 21 Republicans voted for the measure. Eleven Democrats, including Peterson, voted against.

In a preview of the coming debate over Bush-era tax breaks, proponents said that without the extension, 2 million jobless Americans will lose their benefits. Opponents cited fiscal concerns.

The vote came as Congress adjourned for a Thanksgiving recess.


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