While the June jobs report is better than expected, Nevada Senator Dean Heller is still trying to convince his fellow Republicans to extend long-term unemployment benefits for his hard-hit state.
At 7.9 percent Nevada has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation. Heller has already been able to convince Senate Republicans to pass the bill. Now he's working on Republicans in the House.
"They’ve been very positive to me," says Heller. "They understand where I’m coming from and the state of Nevada and the situation, the economic situation, in the state of Nevada."
Positive or not, House Republicans have refused to take up his bill. Heller says the blame should not go to Republicans in the House, but to the White House for refusing to negotiate with House leaders.
"Just ask them what will it take and I know they want job creation portions added to the legislation, which I agree with, but let’s move forward," says Heller.
Long-term unemployment benefits lapsed in December. White House officials say the unemployed shouldn't be held hostage in a partisan fight over how to create jobs.
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