Among the 20 or so people braving the cold as they lined up outside a Chicago unemployment office, there was some sense of relief. Now that the blockade against extending jobless benefits is over, they’ll be able to continue getting their checks. “I can keep paying my bills, that means something” said a shivering Tom Dober, as he waited for the doors to the office to open. There was fear among many that benefits would be cut off, as a battle among lawmakers was waged in Washington DC. Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning staged a filibuster, to block a bill extending jobless benefits and health insurance subsidies for unemployed Americans. Several in line called the whole political battle “ridiculous”, and accused Washington lawmakers of not knowing how the “little people” felt. While Dober admitted he was concerned about not getting his government cash, he said he supported Bunning, “I think he’s right. If there’s no money to pay it (unemployment benefits), they should figure something else out”.
Bunning gave in late Tuesday night, ended his filibuster, and the jobless benefits extensions bill passed 78-19. Click here to see comments about the congressional battle from Greg Mills, a Chicago writer who says he depends on unemployment checks during the lean times: