[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--H.R. 4853

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, let me just say briefly, once again, 
the majority wants to make this debate about Republicans opposing 
something. Let me make it clear that we have offered ways of paying for 
these programs, and we have been eager to approve them. But we cannot 
support job-killing taxes and adding tens of billions to the already 
unsustainable national debt. So the only reason the unemployment 
extension has not passed is because our friends on the other side 
simply refuse to pass a bill that does not add to the debt. That is it. 
That is the only difference between what they have offered and what we 
have offered.
  In a moment, I will offer a 2-month extension of the expired 
unemployment insurance benefits. This extension would be fully paid 
using the very same stimulus funds 57 Democrats, including my friend 
the majority leader, voted to redirect for these same purposes. Let me 
repeat that. We would pay for this extension with a Democrat-approved 
stimulus offset. This extension we will offer would cover the month of 
June, when benefits have lapsed, and it would cover next month, so we 
will have time to further debate these proposals.
  If the Democrats object to extending these programs using their own 
stimulus offset to pay for them, then they will be saying loudly and 
clearly that their commitment to deficit spending trumps their desire 
to help the unemployed. So let's be clear about the principle that is 
really at stake here: Are Democrats willing to extend these programs 
without--without--adding to the debt? That is the real question in this 
debate.
  Therefore, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 4853; that all after the 
enacting clause be stricken and the McConnell amendment at the desk be 
agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, 
and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The majority leader.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, my friend the 
Republican leader knows full well that everything in the so-called 
extenders package was paid for. It was paid for because it was the 
right thing to do. We, as a Congress--Democrats and Republicans--have 
always extended unemployment benefits because it is an emergency. 
President Reagan did it for almost 3 years. President Bush did it for a 
couple years. It has been going on on a bipartisan basis when times are 
tough in America.
  This is only an excuse the Republicans have. We only needed one more 
Republican to get this done. And I so appreciate the two good Senators 
from Maine for recognizing that these people who are unemployed deserve 
this.
  Mark Zandi, John McCain's chief economic adviser, said that for every 
$1 spent on someone who is unemployed with unemployment compensation, 
$1.61 is returned.
  For people to talk about, there are jobs out there and that all they 
have to do is go look for them--for every job in America, there are 
five people looking for that job. It is better than it was. Just a 
short time ago, it was one job for every six job applicants.
  So I understand and I think the American people understand what the 
Republicans are doing, and I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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