Last week Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning refused to allow the Senate to vote on an extension of unemployment benefits and an extension for COBRA by holding a one-man filibuster and not allowing a vote to be taken. Despite pleas from other senators on Thursday night that dragged on until almost midnight, Bunning stayed firm in refusing to vote for a bill that would increase the deficit. Because the Senate could not approve an extension to unemployment benefits by the February 27 deadline, millions of people currently receiving extended unemployment benefits will not be able to extend those benefits as they expire.
Those who support Bunning agree that the government cannot continue to add to the deficit without coming up with a way to pay for their spending. Others say that Bunning is cruel for cutting off the lifeline to millions of people who have already fallen on hard times.
Today we asked our contributors to weigh in on this topic. After reading their thoughts, join the conversation by leaving a comment.
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