Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis voiced her disappointment overthe U.S. Senate's decision to recess for two weeks, without approvinglegislation that would have extended emergency unemployment insurance benefits for workerswho have lost their jobs and health insurance subsidies. Fundingfor the programs is scheduled to expire on April 3.

Solis released this statement:

"I am deeply disappointed that the Senate was prevented fromtaking action on legislation to extend funding for unemploymentinsurance and the COBRA subsidy. There is no room for partisanroadblocks when Americans are depending on their government'saction and the stakes are this high.

Beginning in early April, large numbers of workers will face theloss of essential benefits. Unemployment insurance recipients willnot be able to move from regular state unemployment programs intoEmergency Unemployment Compensation, and in some cases, individualsmay stop receiving benefits outright.

Without an extension of funding for EUC and full federal fundingof the Extended Benefit program, nearly 38,000 Americans could losethese vital benefits starting the second week in April. By mid-May,more than 1.2 million would be left without these benefits. And, ifthe Recovery Act COBRA subsidy is not extended, thousands offamilies will lose access to affordable health care.

As I have said before, we cannot stop supporting workers who aredesperately seeking jobs, but -- in many cases -- simply cannotfind them. For many households with an unemployed worker, thesebenefits are the only thing that allows them to keep paying thebills and supporting their families as they look for newemployment.

I am hopeful that the few senators opposed to extending benefitswill allow an expedient up-or-down vote on the bill upon Congress'return to Washington. Those Americans who have lost their jobs as aresult of this recession are counting on these senators to putpartisanship aside and pass this important legislation."

The Senate will reconvene on April 12 and plans to take up theextension, but, according to the National Employment Law Project, nearly1 million people are now at risk of losing benefits in April due tocongressional inaction on federal extensions.

Get more: In this rapidly changingarena of COBRA administration, the key to success is access toaccurate and timely legal information. Don't miss Todd Eason'sguest column, "Don't go COBRA alone" in the April issue ofBenefits Selling.