NASHVILLE – The House voted 75-22 this afternoon to make it possible for thousands of Tennesseans who have exhausted their unemployment benefits to qualify for another 20 weeks of largely federally-funded aid.
The move came about, lawmakers said, after Republican Gov. Haslam and administration officials got involved in a bipartisan effort by House Republican leaders, including Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, and his Democratic counterparts.
Lawmakers indicated Haslam, who has expressed reservations about the extension, wound up helping persuade Senate Republicans, who opposed the effort, to go along. The bill has yet to move in the Senate.
“Our governor stepped up to the plate and assisted us in this effort, particularly with some of our friends down the hall,” said House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, the sponsor of the bill.
McCormick warned colleagues that if the bill failed, it could delay attempts to finish up lawmakers’ annual session either today or Saturday.