(RALEIGH) -- The political standoff keeping 42,000 long-term jobless workers from their extended unemployment benefits has drawn a fiery response from Governor Bev Perdue.

Perdue says the GOP leaders have had more than enough time to help people who are receiving unemployment, and she's tired of waiting for it to happen. "We've got about 42,000 people - maybe a little more - who are unemployed. These people are real people, they're not hostages. To be held by the Republican leaders' in this little-boy game of one-upmanship - I'm tired of it," she said.

She says we've been waiting for weeks on Republicans in the House and Senate to show leadership. She urges them to send her a "clean bill" dealing with the issue and she would sign it the same day.