Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is disappointed legislation to extend unemployment benefits to thousands of New Mexicans who have been unable to find a job in this difficult economic climate is being held-up in the Senate.

The bill, which is the victim of a one-man-filibuster by the junior Republican Senator from Kentucky, would provide for a short-term extension of unemployment insurance and COBRA (health care) benefits in all states.  New Mexico's unemployment rate as of December was 8.3 percent, up from 4.7 percent at the end of 2008.  As of now, some Americans will lose unemployment and COBRA benefits this Sunday.

"As many New Mexicans continue to feel the effect of the current economic situation, some in Washington continue to delay action on a bill that would help them make ends meet as they look for new employment," Bingaman said.  "We need to make this bill a priority and pass is quickly to ensure that Americans whose families depend on this assistance will not have to go without it."

The filibuster also affects highway and transit programs, potentially halting important construction projects across the country.