According to the New York Times, Steny Hoyer (Democratic majority leader from Maryland) was quoted as having said:
Today, Republicans blocked an extension of unemployment insurance for thousands of families who have lost jobs through no fault of their own.
The measure required a two-thirds majority to pass in the U. S. House of Representatives (290 of 435). The vote was 154 in favor, 258 against (23 absent or not voting). Assuming that all 180 Republicans were present and voted against the extension:
- At least 78 Democrats (30% of the majority party) also voted against it.
- At least 30% of the Representatives who voted against the bill were Democrats.
They were 136 votes short. Even if 70% of the Republicans had voted for the measure, it still would have lost by 10 votes.
If Hoyer did indeed make this statement, then I think he either can’t add or he thinks the rest of us are really stupid.
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