Information about the vote from special interest groups and other information providers in our Report Cards:
AFL-CIO
ECONOMIC STIMULUS—H.R. 3090.
The economic aftershocks of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, combined with the Bush recession, resulted in the lay-offs of hundreds of thousands of workers. This group and other working family advocates backed an economic stimulus plan to extend, expand and improve unemployment insurance benefits to help families make up for lost income; to help laid-off workers maintain or acquire health insurance; to provide funds to enable state unemployment systems to meet the surge in claims; and to provide help to the business community.
However, the Bush administration and Republican leaders insisted on a stimulus package made up mostly of huge tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy and few benefits for jobless workers. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) offered legislation to provide approximately $73 billion for economic stimulus measures in fiscal year 2002, including $14 billion for refund checks to taxpayers who did not receive refunds during the summer of 2001. It also would provide $31 billion for unemployment and health care benefits for displaced workers. It called for $15 billion over 10 years for homeland security, including measures to combat bioterrorism, enhance law enforcement and protect postal operations. Before the bill could come to a vote, Senate budget rules would have had to be waived, which requires 60 votes. The motion to waive the rules failed.
International Union, UAW
Senate Blocks Consideration of Pro-Worker Economic Stimulus Package.
Senate Democrats proposed an economic stimulus package that placed a priority on providing assistance to laid off workers. The UAW and the rest of the labor movement backed this measure, which included extended and expanded unemployment benefits and health care coverage. But GOP leaders raised a point of order to block consideration of this legislation. Unfortunately, in a party line vote the Senate sustained this point of order. It takes 60 votes to override a point of order.
Service Employees International Union
GOP Kill Unemployed Worker Benefits Bill.
On November 14, Senator Phil Gramm, (R-TX) offered two procedural motions killing the Democratic Leadership Economic Stimulus, which included extended unemployment benefits, and reimbursement for COBRA premiums for laid off workers. Democrats needed 60 votes to prevail and move the measure forward. The votes demonstrate that neither side has the votes to pass a bill through the Senate and that negotiations are necessary.
In a last ditch effort Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) today stripped out rural development provisions approved by Finance Committee, and added provisions related to insurance and Medicaid. But Republican's focus on killing the bill centered on the additional $15 billion for infrastructure spending added to the package at the urging of Senate Appropriations Chairman Byrd.
This vote on a point of order motion was on the bill's emergency designation.