Maine senators pressured back home to support extenders

The senators have repeatedly expressed concerns that the bill would add to the deficit. Both last week opposed the $140 billion extender bill that would have added approximately $80 billion to the deficit. They also voted against the $118 billion bill that would have deepened the deficit by roughly $60 billion.

Tom McMahon, executive director for Americans United for Change, who is also featured in the ad, contends the bill’s defeat will worsen the deficit because fewer people will be paying taxes.

“Fewer jobs means less tax revenue and more people seeking out public assistance,” McMahon says in the ad. “We hope Sens. Collins and Snowe will listen to economists who stress that the unemployment benefits are among the most stimulative investments that can be made in a tough economy, because laid-off workers are more likely to spend the money quickly, giving the economy a shot in the arm.”

The fate of extender is currently unclear. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) could bring another bill forward this week. He could also table the issue and move to debate legislation granting tax breaks and loan opportunities to small businesses.