Comments on: Unemployment Benefits Extension Strongly Considered by Obama Administration

By: Benefits Approved

Benefits Approved — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:45:56 +0000

Senate Extends Jobless Benefits 14-20 Weeks
After Much Delay, Unanimous Vote Prompts House to Approve Bill Quickly & Send to President
600,000 Jobless Have Exhausted Benefits in Last Two Months; 1.3 Million Exhaustions Projected by End of 2009
Washington, DC – After weeks of delay, today the Senate voted 98-0 to extend jobless benefits by 14 weeks for every state and an additional 6 weeks, for a total of 20 weeks, in high-unemployment states where the jobless rate exceeds 8.5%. The strong bi-partisan vote marks a major breakthrough for the nation’s unemployed as 600,000 workers exhausted their unemployment benefits in September and October, and a total of 1.3 million are expected to exhaust their benefits by the end of the year.
The Senate’s enthusiastic vote sets the stage for the House to quickly approve the extension and send it to the President this week for swift enactment.
“The Senate has approved strong legislation at a critical time. A stunning 600,000 workers ran out of jobless benefits in the past two months alone, and thousands more are projected to by the end of the year. Workers need this extension, the economy needs this extension – and that means the House needs to approve the Senate bill and send it to President Obama in a matter of days. Workers waited too long for this moment, and they – nor the economy – can afford to wait a moment longer,” said Christine Owens, Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project.
The Senate’s extension, part of the “Worker Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009,” comes nearly one month after the Senate first introduced the proposal and multiple legislative delays that stalled the bill as more and more workers exhausted benefits on a daily basis.
The legislation would be fully paid for by a two-year continuation of an unemployment insurance surtax on employers— $14 per worker annually— that has been in place for 30 years.
With long-term unemployment at a record high, the maximum number of weeks of jobless benefits to date has been 79 weeks — 26 weeks of regular state benefits plus up to 53 weeks under the two federal extensions previously passed (Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended
Benefits). The federal extension weeks have varied by state, from 20-53 weeks, according to each state’s unemployment level. (A NELP chart is available illustrating the breakdown by state).
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By: Another Unemployed

Another Unemployed — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:05:43 +0000

Update’s remarks above seem to be the most intelligent of all the posted remarks. This is just another opportunity to vent or rant. This doesn’t really do anyone any good. I’ve been unemloyed for 11 months and know first hand what it’s like to be jobless with no immediate hopes for being employed. But, spreading all the lies and republican bashing doesn’t solve your problems. You will be better served to spend your time calling, writing or emailing your state representatives (of either or both parties) and enlisting their help. And, remember to follow up by checking their voting records and remember to vote against them at election time if their voting disagrees with your beliefs. Voting is the avenue open to Americans to be a part of the law making process. But voting should be done based on truthful and accurate information about the candidates or the issue up for vote. Please don’t rely on people around you to form your opinions. Read about the issues and candidates in newspapers, on line and by listening to reliable news sources. And remember, editorials are just your local newspaper editors opinions and not necessarily true to facts. All that being said, I know that this bill will pass and we will eventually get the extension, it just won’t be today. Todays generation is “I want it now” but truth is “good things come to those who wait”.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:46:39 +0000

This is ridiculous that we the hard-working citizens of the U.S that have contributed funds our entire lives into uneployment insurance can’t get help when we need it most. However, without our approval, the Dems can increase funding to welfare and other social programs funded not by the recipients but by us – the working class idiots. They also, can ship our jobs overseas, as well and funding to other countries to play the saviour of the universe. If we are at war with a country- why the hell are we spending money to rebuild it afterwards. Is it just me or is that stupid? Any other country ever bail us out? Maybe we should spend our time, not pleading to the people we elected for relief, but contacting other countries and pleading for their compassion and help. How far do you think that will get us? Yeah – exactly- Nevermind…

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:15:57 +0000

Because the people who are voting are not in line for unemployment! They should experience it once in their life time. It’s sad.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:06:58 +0000

This is so crazy, people are hurting stop the crap and pass the thing already!!!!!

By: Up date.....

Up date..... — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:21:50 +0000

Hello everyone here is a summary of where the Unemployment Benefits Extension saga is at.

Like I said before, help is on its, way hang on…God bless America today and always!!!

ABC’s Z. Byron Wolf reports on the Partisan that is slowing an extension of unemployment insurance

Yes, there is a reason for your déjà vu.

You might be thinking that Senators overwhelmingly supported a cloture vote regarding an extension of unemployment benefits just last week.

They did it again tonight.

Tonight (Monday Nov 02, 2009) they vote 85-2 to invoke cloture on a substitute amendment written by Senate Democrats.

Why is this taking so long?

Republicans, even though they are by and large voting in favor of cloture, say they are standing up for principle. They want votes on amendments unrelated to the bill . Democrats don’t want to vote on those amendments, which include further cutting of funding to ACORN and on making permanent an “E-verify” program to electronically check immigration status of employees.

The Senate Democrats plan would extend unemployment benefits by 20 weeks in places with the highest unemployment rates and extend benefits by 14 weeks everywhere else. With previous extensions, unemployment benefits extend more than 70 weeks in most areas. Masses of the unemployed that lost their jobs in this recession will not start losing benefits until December and beyond. But tens of thousands of Americans still run out of benefits each week.

Also included Senate Democrats proposal is an extension of an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers thru homes that close by June of 2010. That credit is expanded to give people who have lived in their houses for more than five years a $6,500 tax credit for buying a new house.

There is no doubt this bill will pass. It’s just a matter of when.

Republicans could insist on 30 hours of debate on this amendment post-cloture. Then Democrats would have to file cloture on the full bill, wait a day, have a final cloture vote, wait another 30 hours and vote on the bill. That’s 60 hours and one day away.

Republicans and Democrats could always come to a unanimous consent agreement to waive the cloture votes and immediately pass the unemployment extension. But that does not currently seem likely.

So, depending on your perspective, either Republicans are holding this up because they want amendments on unrelated items or Democrats are holding it up because they won’t let Republicans have their amendments.
In any event, unemployment benefits continue to be held up. And whatever the Senate passes will have to go back to the House of Representatives for their approval.

By: ROBERT P

ROBERT P — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:28:46 +0000

as a voting american i vote with my wallet.so whatever or whoever is holding up this legeslation i will do my best at next election to vote you OUT

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:27:56 +0000

Does anybody know if they passed the unemployment extensions ? Suppose to be voted on today…

By: James Fraley

James Fraley — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:46:43 +0000

I urge everyone to get involved. Today is the day to call in and let our Representatives know how we feel. We are not going to take it lying down. If our government won’t act then we must act ourselves. America is falling apart and I am tired of hearing excuses. Time to act is now.Please everyone call in and voice your opinions.

By: James Fraley

James Fraley — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:39:52 +0000

Unemployment benefits should be mandatory expecially since we bailed out banks and insurance companies. Bush’s failed NAFTA policies have destroyed the jobs in America. Cheap labor and failed environmental policies is not the fault of the American people. We have to call in and keep calling to our Senators and let them know that we are not going to stand by and watch them destroy more Americans lives. We need a vote today. Not tomorrow or a week or two, We need help now.