Some Republicans questioned whether Democrats just wanted to make a political point of having the GOP reject unemployment benefits, then criticize them as not understanding the working class.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) accused Democrats of trying to turn the political focus away from Obama’s health-care law. “I have to admit, I’m a little surprised at the fervor with which the majority is dedicated to reviving the expired emergency unemployment benefits after they ignored the issue all of last year,” he said.
Some Democrats, however, privately suggested that they think extending unemployment benefits is critical to the economic recovery, which is their best path to success in the 2014 midterm elections.