This was a vote on a resolution setting a time limit for debate and prohibiting amendments to legislation extending unemployment insurance for laid-off workers through November 30, 2010. The bill also extended through 2010 tax credits for small businesses as well as a a bonds program encouraging state and local governments to invest in infrastructure. The resolution also allowed the House to take a separate vote on blocking a 21% cut in Medicare payments to physicians scheduled to take effect on June 1.

Democrats were trying to pass legislation to help unemployed Americans. Republicans and conservative Democrats opposed the measure, objecting to the bill’s overall cost. Thus, Democratic leaders were forced to water down the measure in order to attract support from conservative Democrats. Thus, Democratic leaders reduced the bill’s price tag by eliminating health benefits for laid-off workers. They also divided the bill into two different sections, each to be voted on separately. One section blocked a 21% cut in Medicare payments to physicians, and the other section contained the rest of the bill. This strategy allowed members to vote in favor of extending unemployment insurance, and against blocking cuts in physician payments, or vice versa

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) urged support for the resolution and the underlying bill: “Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in support of this rule [resolution] and the underlying bill for one reason, and that is jobs, jobs, jobs. That's what this bill is about. It's about creating jobs across the country from Massachusetts to Florida to my home State of California.”

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) criticized the resolution and the underlying legislation: “Why is the Speaker having this bill today on the floor? This isn't about jobs. It's not about the unemployed. It's not about those without insurance or it's not even about physicians. It's about a political agenda. It's about taxing and spending and a message on this floor that tries to make it seem like it's the reverse.”

The House agreed to the resolution by a vote of 221-199. 221 Democrats – including a majority of progressives -- voted “yea.” All 170 Republicans present and 29 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House proceeded to formal floor debate on legislation extending unemployment insurance for laid-off workers through November 30, 2010, extending through 2010 tax credits for small businesses, and blocking a 21% cut in Medicare payments to physicians scheduled to take effect on June 1.