Sen. Sherrod Brown: Keep Congress in session until benefits extended

The House and Senate should stay in session until they can pass an extension of unemployment insurance, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said Wednesday.

Brown urged leaders to keep Congress in session and eat into the holiday weekend and next week's recess, if necessary, to pass a long-delayed extension of benefits and tax cuts that's stalled in the Senate.

"For too many weeks, Republicans have blocked legislation that would extend tax cuts for small businesses, close tax loopholes that encourage corporations to ship jobs overseas, and extend unemployment insurance," Brown said in a statement. "Congress should not adjourn for the July 4 holiday weekend without passing an extension of unemployment insurance."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has previously threatened lawmakers with weekend work over delays on unemployment extensions. Reid's record with following through with such threats has been mixed, though — currently, benefits have been lapsed for weeks. 

Lawmakers are anxious to get home this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday on Sunday. They're also scheduled to be in recess all of next week in observance of the holiday.

Republicans are insisting that extensions be paid for with cuts to the budget, potentially from Democrats' signature $787 billion stimulus program. Democrats have said the spending is an emergency and needn't be offset. Reid said Wednesday he is one vote short. 

“Both sides have offered ways to address the programs in this bill that we agree should be extended," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). "The only difference is that Democrats are demanding that we add the cost to an already unsustainable $13 trillion national debt.”

Brown said that extending these benefits was too important to wait.

"Every day Americans don't receive unemployment insurance is another day more American workers and families will slip into poverty," he said. "That's not only a human tragedy; it's an economic blow our country can't afford."