In the spring of 2002, both Republicans and Democrats agreed that the economy was weak enough to warrant an extension of unemployment benefits. Along with the unemployment benefits, Republicans also added a number of "stimulus" measures in the form of temporary business tax breaks. In the House, passing most bills requires separately passing a measure establishing the rules for debate. In the vote at issue here, Republicans moved to order the previous question-which ends debate and calls for a final vote-on the rules for debate on the bill extending unemployment benefits. Progressives supported the underlying bill-despite its business tax breaks-but they still voted "no" on the previous question motion. Had they prevailed on this procedural matter, it would have handed control of the floor debate to the Democrats, and the chances for a more progressive bill would have increased substantially. That said, they did not prevail, and the previous question motion passed, 217-192.