Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) criticized Republicans Wednesday night for denying a unanimous consent request to pass an extension of unemployment insurance and COBRA health care benefits, a move he warned would leave “out-of-work Americans vulnerable to losing this valuable safety net.”

“I’m disappointed that Republicans are standing against a short-term extension of these critical programs that so many Nevadans rely on,” said Reid, who steered passage of a $15 billion jobs bill earlier Wednesday that won the support of 13 Republicans.

“Senate Democrats are committed to helping unemployed Americans as they support their families while they are looking for work, and we are hopeful that Republicans will choose to work with us on this important issue,” Reid added.

The Senate passed a one-year extension of the USA PATRIOT Act Wednesday and is poised to begin consideration of a travel promotion bill on Thursday afternoon after a bipartisan health care summit at the Blair House. The bill is important for the tourism industry and for Reid, who represents a travel-heavy state.