Should Sen. Bunning continue to block extension of unemployment benefits?

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) stood firm Tuesday in single-handedly blocking the Senate from extending unemployment benefits, highway funds and other programs in the face of mounting criticism from Democrats and pleas from his own party.

The White House called Mr. Bunning's actions "irrational."  Senator Susan Collins, the moderate Republican from Maine, became the latest lawmaker, and the first Republican, to try to override the objection.

Mr. Bunning is arguing that the Senate should first find a way to pay for the expense.