WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Thad Cochran today issued the following statement regarding efforts in Congress to resolve issues that have stymied legislation which, among other things, would continue unemployment insurance benefits, health insurance subsidies, Highway Trust Fund projects and other federal programs:

"I regret that we've reached this point, which will cause hardships for many people in Mississippi and across the country.  I am hopeful the Congress will act soon to retroactively reinstate these expired provisions.  Failing to do so would be irresponsible to those who rely on unemployment benefits and to those whose livelihoods are linked to federal projects like improvements to the Natchez Trace.

"We cannot jeopardize our fragile economy by stopping approved, ongoing projects that are providing jobs and improving the infrastructure that will support our economic recovery.  The lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program also poses a number of significant problems that, if allowed to go on too long, will have economic and safety ramifications.

"Concerns about the federal debt are valid, but we must find a way forward.  As we work toward a resolution, federal agencies should, where feasible, consider reprogramming funding and taking administrative actions to mitigate the hardships caused by allowing these laws to lapse," Cochran said.

U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) has objected to quick passage of a short-term extension (HR.4691) for a broad array of federal authorizations for jobless benefits, tax credits and government programs.  Bunning contends the bill should be paid for and proposed using already-enacted stimulus funding to finance the bill. Democratic leaders have objected to Bunning's proposal.

As a result, authorization lapsed at midnight Sunday for dozens of programs and laws.  The Democratic leadership in the Senate is now attempting to move a long term extension measure (HR.4213) that would reinstate benefits and provisions retroactively.

The following projects and programs are among those affected by the impasse:  health insurance subsidies, unemployment insurance benefits, Highway Trust Fund projects, satellite television transmission laws, Medicare physician reimbursements, and dozens of tax credits.