Senate Republicans Roadblock Unemployment Benefits Extension

 As of the end of May, some 1.55 million unemployed workers have been unemployed for longer than six months, according to the Department of Labor. Under the House-passed bill, about 3.8 million jobless workers would receive help after running out of their state benefits.

 May also saw the largest one-month jump in the unemployment rate in more than 20 years. The economy has shed jobs for five months in row, for a loss of 324,000 jobs since December.

 Says Reid:

Even as the rising costs of living and rising unemployment make middle-class life less affordable, Republicans today said no to extending benefits that would help the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs in the Bush economy. Long-term unemployment is already higher than it was during previous economic downturns in which Congress extended benefits…Extending unemployment benefits will not only help struggling families, but will also inject a needed stimulus into our weakening economy.