U.S. lawmakers fail to extend federal jobless benefits that are set to expire Friday.

With negotiations over a broader recovery package stalled, Senate Republicans tried to pass a stand-alone bill that would have continued the extra jobless aid payments through the end of the year, but slash them to $200 a week from $600.

Democrats blocked the effort and instead tried to pass the $3 trillion stimulus measure the House approved in May, which includes an extension of the full $600 benefit through January.

They should at least extend them through September. And then they can re-evaluate.

Are these people going on August recess while the country starves?

They have an election coming, don’t they?

They at least need an emergency extension of federal aid.

There is no way that they leave town for the summer and not extend the benefits.

During an election year, no less.

They are just asking more burnt down federal court houses at this point.

“...Without action by Friday, the benefit will expire, leaving tens of millions of Americans in limbo, after more than 1 million new unemployment claims were filed for the 19th week in a row and the economy recorded its worst quarter on record.”

“Democrats said the blame for the breakdown lay squarely with Republicans, who waited until just before the jobless aid was to expire to roll out their opening bid for negotiations with Democrats. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, declared their plan “fundamentally unworkable.”“

Why did the republicans wait so long?

No relief + eviction enforcement + homelessness/transiency = inability to vote

This is pathetic. It’s not Mitch’s money. It’s the people’s money.

He has no right to let this expire while grifting billions for his connected friends.

These republicans are just asking for a wipeout in November.

At least California is trying to pass the $600/week to the end of the year.

The August recess is mandated by law, R3. The media worked overtime last year to make people think "The Dems" just refused to do any work, when in truth they couldn't easily cancel the recess in August because it's basically mandatory.

I hope that tactic doesn't work again this year, but it seems like it might.

Unfortunate, because it's the GOP causing the problems again, and the media needs to stop covering for them.

A lot of the people who will be cut off are deplorables. This is kamikaze move by senate republicans.

Those motherfucking Republicans. I hope they all go out Herman Cain-style.

SHAMEFUL!!!

This is outrageous.

The republicans need to get off their lazy asses.

Pitiful.

Yertle is worthless to the average person.