Democrats have wanted to extend unemployment insurance benefits for at least a month, but individual Republicans like Jon Kyl have objected to unanimous consent for a speedy passage, holding up the bill while hundreds of thousands of Americans slip off the unemployment rolls. Almost 2 million more will lose their benefits by the end of the year, and still Republican leaders like Kyl say nothing but that they will get around to an agreement “at the appropriate time.”

Today, Senate Democrats went on the offense, holding a press event in the Capitol urging quick passage of the bill, which would provide 14 weeks of extended benefits to all Americans, plus 6 additional weeks for anyone in a state with unemployment levels above 8.5%. Given that unemployment benefits add money directly back into the economy and have a multiplier effect ($1.61 for every dollar spent), this is not just a paid-for benefit but a stimulative one.

Here were some comments from various Senators today:

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI): “Slow-walking these benefits doesn’t just hurt individuals and families; it is bad for businesses and the broader economy.  Helping people stay afloat is not a partisan issue — It is an urgent national issue that demands action now.   And it is time for obstructionism to stop being the philosophy of too many Republicans.”

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH): “Helping people who are about to lose a lifeline is the essence of what we do as public servants – that is why this delay is so disappointing.  I ask those members who are holding up this urgent legislation for political purposes to do the right thing and pass this extension immediately.”

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ): “This unexpected battle over unemployment insurance is putting on display the irresponsible lengths to which our Republican colleagues are willing to go in their strategy of ‘No’. They said no to a job-creating economic recovery package, no to health insurance reform, and now no to a safety net for Americans who can’t find a job in the most severe economic downturn in generations.”

The Senators make up the Democratic side of the committee of jurisdiction, the Senate HELP Committee. The House has already passed an unemployment extension bill, but it only extended jobless benefits in states with high unemployment rates.

The real issue here is that Republicans want to pay for this extension out of already-appropriated stimulus funds, while Democrats would rather not tap funds already earmarked for other purposes and instead extend benefits in a new bill. This is part of the White House strategy to get additional stimulus dollars into the economy through a series of bills without calling anything a second stimulus. The rising unemployment rate and shortfall in the economy clearly shows the need for more stimulus, regardless of the current deficit.

In addition to the funding concern, Republicans are trying to add a host of unrelated amendments to the bill, including such ever-present measures on ACORN and immigration, as well as an effort to extend the homebuyer’s tax credit, which also isn’t paid for and primarily favors the wealthy, but I’m not expecting Republicans to be consistent.

The Hill has an additional report.