[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13381]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                PROGRAM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, earlier today the Senate invoked cloture on 
the legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits. As a result, 
debate on the measure is limited to 30 hours. We can finish this 30 
hours after this passes, sometime around 9 o'clock tomorrow night. If 
that gives these people over here some feeling that 2.5 million people 
deserve this, then let them do it. I hope we come in, in the morning, 
and get this thing done so this bill can go on to the House--the House 
has to pass it--and then to the President. Every hour that is delayed 
is more misery for 2.5 million people.
  The debate over whether it is paid for is over. It is clear; all 
experts say this money that is spent will return to us--CBO says 
twofold. John McCain's chief economic adviser says $1.61 will come back 
for every $1 we spend. So if they think they are getting even--with 
whom, 2.5 million people--because it passed?
  So I hope we reach an agreement to yield back some of the postcloture 
time so we can complete action on this bill at a reasonable time 
tomorrow.
  Upon disposition of unemployment insurance legislation, the Senate 
will resume consideration of the small business jobs bill, which is 
also a job-creating bill we would like to get to.
  I want everyone to understand. The Republicans better be ready 
tomorrow to defend their position because we are going to have people 
come during this 30 hours and show how ridiculous it is that we are 
having to wait for 30 hours. No amendments can be offered. Nothing can 
be done during that 30 hours except speeches. So I alert my friends: 
Come and explain to the American people how this 30 hours has helped 
the American people.
  There will be rollcall votes possibly throughout the day tomorrow.

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