By Rick HowlettU.S. Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky continues to draw criticism from Democrats and others for his refusal to support a $10 billion legislative package to fund various programs, including an extension of unemployment benefits. Bunning (pictured) says he's not opposed to an extension of benefits or other elements of the bill, but wants the measure to be funded from existing stimulus money, instead of adding to the budget deficit.Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth of Louisville says Bunning is essentially holding the country hostage by blocking the legislation."I understand he's taking a position out of principle, and i do respect that, but the fact remains that tens of thousands of Kentuckians, hundreds of thousands of Americans will be denied unemployment insurance in a time when they are hurting badly, at a time when the country does not offer employment," Yarmuth said Monday in Louisville.The Obama administration says the stalled bill also resulted in the temporary layoffs Monday of two thousand federal transporation workers.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.