By Sarah Mupo -- March 2, 2010
Photos by AP
After Sen. Jim Bunning's (R-Ky.) objection to a 30-day extension of jobless benefits and other expired programs last week, the GOP is worried that the party will be viewed in an obstructionist light.
Congressional Republicans are nervous that voters affected heavily by the recession will turn against the party.
"I have had numerous conversations with my Republican colleagues who are concerned about the expiration of these laws," said Republican Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), after a failed attempt to convince Bunning to relent on his objection.
Bunning also defended his position in a debate with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), and dared him to conduct a vote that would halt debate on the measure.
"You have made your point...[but] the majority of the Senate disagrees with you," Reid said to Bunning. 
Through his objection, Bunning was exercising his senatorial right to oppose a unanimous consent request to pass the extensions already supported by the House.
Democrats have now framed Bunning's actions as one of many Republican tactics that thwart Congressional action.
"Today we have a clear-cut example to show the American people what's wrong with Washington," Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said.
However, Bunning said Tuesday that he is participating in talks in an effort to break the stalemate over benefit extension.
"We're trying," Bunning said in reference to whether senators will soon approach an agreement.
The senator proposed an end to his objection Monday if an agreement could be reached that would apply unspent stimulus money to the cost of unemployment aid.
Although Bunning was the only Senator to object to the Democratic request for a one-month legislative extension, his Monday proposal garnered some backing from fellow Republicans.
"Why pile on the deifict if we have this store of money available?" Senator Jon Kyl (D-Ariz.) said.
After Bunning's blocked the measure last week, which included unemployment benefits and health coverage for the jobless, the Senate adjourned last week without approving any extensions.
Bunning, who is retiring at the end of this year, said that Congress should first figure out a way to pay for the measure.
"If we can't find $10 billion to pay for it, we're not going to pay for anything," Bunning said Monday on the Senate floor.
Because of the Senate's failure to act, starting Monday, many jobless Americans could not apply for federal unemployment benefits or the COBRA health insurance subsidy.
