McConnell: Jobless Benefits Must Be Offset With Spending Cuts

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) on Sunday insisted that any extension of unemployment benefits be offset with spending cuts.

Remaining defiant after President Barack Obama accused the Republican leadership Saturday of obstructionism, McConnell told CNN’s “State of the Nation” that the administration needed to end its “incredible spending spree.”

“We’re all for extending unemployment insurance,” McConnell said. “The question is, when are we going to get serious” about the surging federal deficit.

Democratic senators are expected to try again on Tuesday to extend unemployment benefits that expired in May, following a failure to overcome Republican opposition last month. Republicans have called for the $34 billion cost of the legislation to be paid for by spending cuts.

[PAYGO-- remember?-- Editor]

More