The Senate moved one step closer with a bill to extend federal unemployment insurance for an additional three months.
On Tuesday, six GOP Senators joined with Democrats and in a 60-37 vote, ended debate on a motion to consider the bill. The GOP Senators were: Susan Collins (Maine), Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rob Portman (Ohio), Dan Coats (Ind.) and Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.).
Many of the Republicans who voted against the bill would like to see off-sets to the $6.4 billion that will be required to extend benefits for three months. A couple of the GOP Senators who voted with Democrats urged that agreement be reached on spending cuts.
Meanwhile, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) maintained that the extension must be paid for and issued a brief statement after the vote to this effect.
Watch Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, Jason Furman, explain the importance of extending unemployment benefits to the American economy:
