A bill to revive benefits for the long-term unemployed was blocked on Thursday by Senate Republicans. The proposed three-month extension of the jobless-aid program, which expired Dec. 28, was supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders and all of the other members of the Democratic caucus. Only four Republican senators supported the measure. One more vote would have provided the 60 needed under Senate rules to advance the bill. 

Since Christmas, unemployment benefits have now expired for 1.6 million Americans out of work for longer than 26 weeks. Unless Congress acts, the same fate awaits another 1.6 million people nationwide during the first half of 2014.