Unemployment benefits bill on hold until Byrd replacement named

More than 2 million Americans have lost unemployment benefits and that number will continue to rise if the Senate can’t pass a bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) needs one more vote — most likely the interim replacement for Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), who died June 28 — but that vote may not arrive on Capitol Hill until late this week or early next. 

Reid will need to wait to push through the $34 billion bill until West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) names that person, aides reconfirmed Monday. 

If the Senate doesn't act by week's end, more than 2.5 million will lose their benefits beyond the standard 26 weeks offered by the states. 

Manchin had said he would appoint someone by Monday but has since pulled back from that statement. He has called a special legislative session for Thursday to set up the special election process for Byrd’s seat. 

Although Manchin’s plans are unknown, he could wait until after the special election rules are settled before naming someone to Byrd’s seat. 

Democrats have 59 of the 60 votes needed to pass a bill. They have support from two Republicans — Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe — but have lost Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.) over deficit concerns. 

That leaves them one vote short of passing a bill to provide extended benefits to millions of Americans who have been unemployed for more than six months. 

If Congress can’t act by the end of the month, more than 3.2 million of the nearly 5 million who are receiving the extended benefits will lose them. 

Supporters argue that it puts a multibillion dent into consumer spending — about 7 billion a month — adversely affecting the economic recovery. 

Those opposed say the bill should be paid for and would only add to the nation’s growing debt.