Patrick: Brown Must Support Unemployment Extension

Gov. Deval Patrick says Sen. Scott Brown needs to see the underprivileged people in Massachusetts as he weighs a vote on extended unemployment benefits.

Congress is weighing an extension, which Brown supports, but he wants it paid with cuts in other budgeted programs rather than by expanding the budget deficit.

"We can't keep spending and borrowing with no regard for the future," Brown said in a video message to supporters. "We must be fiscally responsible and provide for the needs of our citizens without putting more debt on the credit card."

The Democratic governor told WTKK-AM on Wednesday it's "outrageous" Brown and his fellow Republicans are holding up an array of legislation while they push for an extension of Bush-era tax cuts — which would be paid with deficit spending.

The Democratic governor says the benefits are needed to help people survive, while the tax cuts will benefit the already-wealthy.

Patrick says the vote is a "question of national character."

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