After the House approved an unemployment benefits extension (H.R. 3548) with an bipartisan majority, it looked like the Senate would quickly follow suit. After all, the companion legislation (S. 1647) was popular among several Democratic leaders and the Republicans indicated they would not obstruct its passage. But as is too often the case in the upper chamber, progress has slowed. The AP reports on the growing dissension within the Democratic ranks:

A 13-week extension of unemployment benefits in the 27 states with the highest jobless rates is being slowed by some lawmakers upset that their own states would be left out. [...]

"Unemployed workers face equally severe challenges no matter what state they live in, and they should be given the support they need," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., in urging passage of legislation extending benefits in all 50 states.

Shaheen on Wednesday wrote a letter to Senate leaders, signed by 15 other Democrats and two independents who usually vote with Democrats, saying it was unfair that hundreds of thousands of workers in states with lower rates of unemployment would be excluded under the House plan.

Broadening the bill to provide assistance to struggling workers in states with relatively-stable unemployment rates is a good idea, as we discussed previously. The problem is finding the extra funding to cover the increased cost. If Shaheen and her colleagues can dig up some extra dollars to support her plan, that's wonderful. If they can't, let's hope they don't torpedo a bill that would still cover an estimated 80 percent of those scheduled to exhaust their benefits before the end of the year.