Senators sound off on Republicans opposing extenders

“We are where we are because of objections, and threats of filibusters, and filibusters that have slowed this process down every step of the way,” Stabenow told reporters. “We could today fix this — right now — go to the floor and in five minutes fix this. But what will happen is we will see an objection on the Republican side that will block this [bill].” 

Casey questioned how Republicans who supported tax breaks for the rich enacted under President George W. Bush could oppose measures helping middle-class individuals facing an elongated period of unemployment.  

“The same crowd that for years — not once or twice — years, voted for tax cuts for not just wealthy people [but] millionaires, billionaires — year after year — hundreds of millions of dollars for one class, one tiny sliver of our population; they voted them the biggest giveaway in American history. The same crowd will come in here and lecture about the spending and pull the ladder up on people just trying to get from A to Z,” Casey said, adding, “I don’t know how you do that … I could live a thousand years and never understand that. In my judgment it’s unforgivable.” 

Senators are expected to return their attention to the extender bill next week with the hope of completing work on it. But Stabenow says without deft negotiations on the part of Senate Democratic leaders, getting Republican support for the bill could remain out of reach.  

“The only reason that we have not voted on it is that we are still negotiating for the votes,” she said. 

Senate Republicans introduced their own extender bill earlier Thursday that extends several individual and business tax breaks, as well as unemployment insurance. It also extends the so-called ‘doc fix’ through 2012. However, the measure does not provide state aid for Medicaid and welfare, which Democrats contend are needed.