Meghan Hughes (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today voted against an effort to cut off debate on a Democratic plan to extend unemployment benefits.  The measure passed by a vote of 60-40 and a final vote is expected later this week. 

Graham said the plan put forth by the Democratic leadership does not pay for the unemployment benefit extension and adds $34 billion to the debt which future generations will be responsible for paying back. 

“There is plenty of room in a $3 trillion dollar budget to find $34 billion to help the unemployed,” said Graham. “This was a lost opportunity for Congress to help people who are out of work and future generations who already are responsible for paying back more debt than they can handle. 

“I have always believed with a bit of effort, we could have found a way to pay for this extension without adding to our national debt,” said Graham.  “But every time that proposal came up, the Democratic leadership quickly shot it down. 

“As a nation, we continue to borrow, borrow, and borrow some more,” concluded Graham.  “If we don’t put a stop to it, I fear our ever-increasing amounts of borrowing will eventually drive the country into the ground.”

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