Senate to Unemployed: Have a Nice Holiday

More than 1.3 million laid-off workers won't get their unemployment benefits reinstated before Congress goes on a weeklong vacation for Independence Day. For the third time in as many weeks, Senate Republicans last night successfully filibustered a bill to continue providing unemployment checks to people who have been laid off for long stretches. An additional 200,000 people who have been without a job for at least six months stand to lose their benefits each week, unless Congress acts.

The House is slated to vote on a similar measure today, though the Senate's action renders the vote a futile gesture as Congress prepares to depart Washington for its holiday recess. The measure, however, stands a better chance of passing after a replacement is seated for Sen. Robert C. Byrd. Many Democrats see state aid and unemployment benefits as insurance against the economy sliding back into recession. However, many Republicans and some Democrats worry about adding to the growing national debt. (More Senate stories.)