No resolution in sight for Senate Republican split on extending unemployment compensation benefits

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3/ 3/2011: Radio Story - Senate Republican leaders avoid a vote on unemployment benefits after their own caucus splits over the issue

3/ 1/2011: Radio Story - Senate Republican leaders delay a vote on extending unemployment benefits after some in their own ranks filibuster over the plan

Intro:	Missourians may soon be without their extended unemployment benefits.
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Wrap: 23,000 Missourians still don't know whether they will see an unemployment check after April 3rd.

The senate adjourned for break without voting on a plan to accept $81 Million in federal money to extend benefits from 79 to 99 weeks.

St. Louis County Republican Senator Jim Lembke previously filibustered the bill.

He says he's been getting more calls from people in other states than in Missouri.

Actuality:	LEMBKE13.WAV
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Description: "They're afraid that their state legislatures, you know, might get the same idea and it would affect them. My office responding to them is saying, well what the Senator is doing in Missouri doesn't affect you in Pennsylvania."

Leading Senate Republicans say they will use stronger measures if Lembke and his supporters continue to filibuster this bill.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	As Missouri's Senate adjourns for vacation, they leave behind the question of whether or not to accept $81 million in federal funds.
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Wrap: The money would extend unemployment benefits for Missourians from 79 to 99 weeks.

Missourians will lose extended unemployment benefits if the Missouri Senate does not take action soon.

St. Louis County Republican Senator Jim Lembke filibustered the bill previously, saying 99 weeks is just too long.

Republican Senate leader Rob Mayer says he would have liked to see a vote on the plan before the break.

Actuality:	MAYER8.WAV
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Description: "A few senators shouldn't hold up the progress of what's going on here and so if we have to use stronger measures we'll use stronger measures."

Lembke says if the bill comes back up he and his supporters will continue to fillibuster.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro:	One St. Louis County Senator says he wants to shame the federal government into doing what he believes is the right thing.
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Wrap: St. Louis County Republican Senator Jim Lembke says he will fillibuster a plan to extend unemployment benefits for Missourians from 79 to 99 weeks.

The extension would be funded by $81 million in federal funds.

Lembke opposes the plan, saying it is wrong for the federal government to send borrowed money to states.

Actuality:	LEMBKE12.WAV
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Description: "If you went next door to your neighbor's house and went into their children's bedroom and stole their piggy bank; I mean, we're stealing from the next generation."

Opposing Lembke, leading Senate Republicans say they will continue to try and find a solution during the coming weeks.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.