Back in June, GOP Rep. Mark Kirk -- along with five other Republican members of Congress from Illinois -- voted against a Democratic bill to extend federal unemployment benefits by 13 weeks.  At the time, Kirk explained that he wasn't against the idea of giving laid-off workers additional unemployment checks, but instead was concerned that the legislation would allow those who had been on the job for as little as two weeks to receive benefits for nine months.  Kirk even claimed that by allowing folks with such limited work records to enter the unemployment system, the Democrats had doubled the cost of the bill. 

As we pointed out at the time, Kirk's excuse made little sense because it completely overlooked the more strict eligibility requirements laid out by individual states.  Indeed, if a worker in Illinois wanted to qualify for federal unemployment benefits for only two weeks worth of work, they'd first have to live for a year-and-a-half on about $4,000. And how much would they then receive from the federal government?  Most likely, less than $50 per week. 

Furthermore, in contrast to Kirk's claim that these deadbeats would greatly increase the cost of the measure, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities pointed out that "the share of the additional benefits under the bill that would go to workers with very limited work records is almost surely miniscule."

We bring this up because yesterday Kirk voted in favor of a new bill to further extend the benefit program.  I've looked over the language in the measure and see no provision that establishes a minimum employment length.  As such, I'd love to hear Kirk's explanation for why he backed this type after referring to it as "crazy" several months ago. (EDIT: Having gone back and double-checked this, it turns out the bill passed on Friday is based off the unemployment benefits language in the FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Act, which does include the 20-week minimum requirement.  Apologies for the mistake.)

Interestingly enough, the five other local GOP members who twice opposed the bill in June -- Donald Manzullo, Peter Roskam, John Shimkus, Judy Biggert, and Jerry Weller -- also supported it this time around.