The Republicans, along with the $500,000 man, Ben Nelson, are still intent on removing food from the mouths of millions of unemployed Americans.

The two GOP senators supporting the measure are Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, their offices confirmed to POLITICO. But with Byrd’s vacancy and Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska telling reporters he will not support the bill, Reid will need to flip the votes of two more Republicans. Sens. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and George Voinovich of Ohio, who both have voted with the Democrats on emergency extensions this year, are likely targets.

Without an extension of the pending benefits, unemployment payments would continue to be phased out for more than 200,000 people per week. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis added that more than 1 million people have already lost benefits.

I suspect the Republicans figure that anyone unemployed must be a Democrat.

They are now.