WASHINGTON — House Republicans voted Thursday to deny an extension of unemployment benefits for jobless Americans and tried to cut off public funding for National Public Radio, moves that reinforced the GOP's direction as their influence expands in Washington after midterm election gains.
The votes were not necessarily new tactics, as Republicans generally have opposed extending unemployment insurance unless it is paid for with federal spending cuts, and have vowed to take weekly votes to cut federal spending. But the two House votes, within hours of each other as lawmakers prepared to recess for a Thanksgiving break, provided an example of the agenda to come when the GOP takes control of the chamber in January.
"This couldn't come at a worse time," said Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, in making the case to extend unemployment benefits, which average $310 a week nationwide. "Although our economy has shown some signs of improving, far, far too many people are still unable to find a job."
Unemployment insurance expires Nov. 30 for 2 million jobless Americans. Democrats sought to extend coverage through February, when an additional 2 million would be without benefits.
Republicans opposed using emergency funds for the $12.5 billion cost of the jobless aid. Instead, they wanted the aid paid for by shifting federal funds from economic-stimulus accounts or from other programs.
Lawmakers voted 258-154 to extend the jobless benefits, but fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the measure under a fast-track process. Eleven Democrats and 143 Republicans voted no.
Restricting federal funding for National Public Radio is part of the GOP's "YouCut" campaign, in which various federal programs are suggested for cuts. Visitors to a GOP website can vote for their favorites.
NPR long has been in the GOP's crosshairs for its perceived liberal bias. But the organization's firing of analyst Juan Williams after comments made on Fox News about Muslims flying on airplanes reignited the debate.
"NPR's recent firing of longtime news analyst Juan Williams was a wake-up call," said Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., the bill's sponsor. "It is not so much the liberal bias that offends me, but the fact that our tax dollars are funding it."
Most of NPR's funding comes from listener contributions and corporate sponsors, with a fraction coming from federal sources. The effort to curtail the funds died on a procedural vote.
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