The jobs crisis continues. Nearly 15 million workers are unemployed, with more than half of those out of work for six months or more. But continuing opposition to new jobs legislation from congressional Republicans is paralyzing Capitol Hill, putting the economic future of millions of working families at risk.

A second stimulus bill meant to pump up the economy and extend jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed was blocked by GOP senators in June, cutting off benefits for more than 1 million jobless Americans.

The Senate fell three votes short of the 60 needed to break a GOP filibuster of the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act, preventing it from coming to the floor. Siding with the GOP were Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson and Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

The bill would have extended unemployment and COBRA benefits while providing more than $16 billion in aid to the states to help state and local governments avoid layoffs and crippling tax hikes. It included dozens of tax breaks to encourage small businesses to hire new workers.

An effort by House Democrats in late June to pass a six-month extension of benefits separate from the stimulus was also defeated by the GOP, with help from more than a dozen "Blue Dog" Democrats.