© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Unemployment Aid on Hold

Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn
US Senate
Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn

By Associated Press

Washington, D.C. – Senate Republicans hold up jobless benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. Senate Republicans are blocking speedy passage of a stopgap bill to extend jobless benefits, saying its $9 billion cost should not be added to the national debt.

The clash comes less than a month after Republicans shied away from a similar battle that led to an interruption in unemployment benefits eligibility for some people and a two-day furlough for some Transportation Department employees.

Last month, Kentucky Republican Jim Bunning blocked a similar extension of jobless benefits but ended up on the losing end of a public relations battle and backed away.

Now, it's Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn who's insisting that the measure be financed with money from last year's economic stimulus bill.