(RALEIGH) -- Several North Carolinians who just lost unemployment benefits protested the political standstill that halted extended help for 37,000 jobless after a veto by Governor Perdue.

Republican leaders said there weren’t any plans to craft a bill that only dealt with unemployment benefits.

"I think the next step is up to the governor and up to at least four Democrats in the House to override the Governor's veto," said Senate President Phil Berger, R-Rockingham.

Senate Minority Leader Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, said he’s extremely disappointed that GOP lawmakers aren’t willing support a version of the bill that does not link the benefits to budget cuts should a spending plan not be ready by June 30.