You Mean Those People Don't Have Trust Funds?

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Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives blocked an effort by Democrats to quickly pass an extension of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed.

"Some people think that was a bad move considering we probably just alienated that segment of voters who like to eat and live in a house with walls," said minority leader of the House John Boehner. "But we figure we'll get them back with our stands on gay marriage and stem cell research. Besides, we need that money for the war."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer a Maryland Democrat, said the bill will be brought back to the floor under rules requiring only a simple majority for passage. "We knew we were going to pass it anyway," he told reporters. "We just figured we'd give the republicans another opportunity to shoot themselves before we did it."

The White House issued a veto warning shortly before the House vote, saying it would instead support an extension of benefits targeted to states with the worst unemployment. When asked how those states would be determined, White House Press Secretart Dana Perino said "Voting for the president in the last election" would be a prime consideration.

About four dozen Republicans broke ranks with president George W. Bush and supported the measure amid deepening election-year concerns about the stagnant U.S. economy and increasing awareness that the republican party was fast becoming an anachronism.

During House debate of the measure, Democrats bemoaned the condition of the economy, with some tying fiscal problems to the war in Iraq, which has cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. "Well, sure, but look how much better off Iraq is," said Press Secretart Perino. "Isn't that worth a few hungry children and homeless families in this country?"

In its statement, the White House said the legislation could remove the incentive for some people to find work. "The counterproductive result of a broad extension of benefits would be that recipients may remain unemployed for slightly longer than they would have otherwise," it said. "Of course the fact that there are no well paying, full time jobs to be had could figure in to that as well, but we think that's a minor point."

The AFL-CIO labor organization said there are now more than two jobless workers searching for every available job.

"I hear the army and Marine Corps are looking for people," Perino said.