U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today voted to support a measure that would have paid for an extension of unemployment benefits. The measure failed by a vote of 42 to 56.

“This was not an argument over whether Congress should pass an extension of unemployment benefits, but over whether those benefits should have been paid for first. This is a classic example of what is wrong in Washington – instead of passing a funded version of this legislation, the majority party chose to play politics with the issue. If Congress cannot find the money to pay for something so universally agreed-upon in these difficult economic times, when will America start to get its fiscal house in order?”

Additionally, Chambliss voted to support a fully paid-for effort to repeal the estate tax, commonly referred to as the “death tax.” That measure failed by a 39 to 59 vote.

“This tax is unnecessary and burdensome to American families, especially those who run small businesses and farms. It is unfair to working Americans who have accumulated a lifetime of assets in hopes of passing them down to their children and grandchildren.”