Unemployment Benefits Extension Passed Wednesday Cloture Vote 97-1
Posted on | November 4, 2009 | 60 Comments
UPDATE: Unemployment Benefits Extension Passes in the Senate, 98-0
The unemployment benefits extension was successfully passed on to a final vote that will take place on late Thursday. The cloture vote of 97-1 passed on Wednesday which ends a four week “argument” between Senate Democrats and GOP leaders over the extension. Even though the cloture vote passed with flying colors there were still some Senate Republicans who were unhappy with the bill.
The Republicans feel that the Democrats held them from debating many of the amendments that they felt were important. The GOP initially proposed nine changes but the Democratic party forced the Republicans to only three amendments. The most important amendment was an edit to have Congress to pay for the unemployment extension through unspent TARP money rather than an extension of an unemployment tax on employers.
On Tuesday, prior to the final cloture vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the statement, “”They are only trying to delay and stall things. We have done more legislating on voting on nongermane, nonrelevant amendments this Congress I think than any time in the history that I’ve been around. And we’ve done it because the Republicans said that’s what they wanted, and I wanted to be fair.”
UPDATE: We have had a great response to the new website Unemployed and Trying. If you would like to submit a story or reason as to why unemployment benefits should be extended please email them to jwojdylo@subprimeblogger.com. We will gladly post them on the new site. Please make the comments free of profanity or any direct insults.
Author: Alan Lake
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60 Responses to “Unemployment Benefits Extension Passed Wednesday Cloture Vote 97-1”
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November 4th, 2009 @ 11:21 am
[...] UPDATE: Wednesday Cloture Vote Passes 97-1 [...]
November 4th, 2009 @ 11:35 am
Ok, now that the Cloture Vote Passed 97-1, what is the next phase? Does this mean another 2 weeks of deliberating and debating?
Basically, I want to know when? When will it pass? Geesh………I’m like walking on egg-shells, holding my breath waiting for this damn bill to pass! It’s a new month and rent is due, (most important bill), and a long list of everything else!
November 4th, 2009 @ 11:44 am
[...] Unemployment Benefits Extension Passed Wednesday Cloture Vote 97-1 [...]
November 4th, 2009 @ 11:57 am
I am waiting to hear something good and I found a website that gives senators names that keep voting no lets call them and ask them for a chunk of their pay checks…. wouldnt an extension be easier
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Hey Brea, this is most probably how it will work now that the final cloture vote has been passed. As early as tommorow, as late as next week the house will review the amended bill. The house bill was 14 weeks, the senate bill is up to 20. The latter will probably be the case if your state is above 8.5% unemployment mark. The house is much quicker to action than the senate. I can relate as I am in the same boat you are. Last time the extension went thru, after the President signs it into law it took about 3 weeks to actually get a check or direct deposit. It’s coming, it should be here now but republicans feel they need to ram an unrelated amendment up the dems rear end. That squabble is now FINALLY over. Hope this helps.
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
The US Senate is intended to ensure a counterbalance to direct democracy (in principle) by supposed wisdom and SOUND JUDGMENT. Sound Judgment? Playing politics with a simple Unemployment Extension? Playing politics with a fundamental obligation of government (provide assistance to the needy)?
Reader…Fellow American…please consider the following GOP Senators up for re-election in 2010! These are part of the OBSTRUCTIONISTS to yours and my lifeline (EUC)…the very benefits we already paid for:
(Let’s offer these greedy individuals some obstruction of our own by voting them out of office!)
Robert Bennett, Republican Senator from Utah
Christopher Bond, Republican Senator from Missouri
Sam Brownback, Republican Senator from Kansas
Jim Bunning, Republican Senator from Kentucky
Richard Burr, Republican Senator from North Carolina
Tom Coburn, Republican Senator from Oklahoma
Mike Crapo, Republican Senator from Idaho
Jim DeMint, Republican Senator from South Carolina
Chuck Grassley, Republican Senator from Iowa
Judd Gregg, Republican Senator from New Hampshire
Johnny Isakson, Republican Senator from Georgia
George LeMieux, Republican Senator from Florida
John McCain, Republican Senator from Arizona
Lisa Murkowski, Republican Senator from Alaska
Richard Shelby, Republican Senator from Alabama
Arlen Specter, Republican Senator from Pennsylvania
John Thune, Republican Senator from South Dakota
David Vitter, Republican Senator from Louisiana
George Voinovich, Republican Senator from Ohio
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it has to go back to the House yet. I don’t know how long it’ll be stalled there. We don’t know what the plan is but it appears to be to stall and see how mad everyone will get – how far can we push the zombie people?
It really could be another month – they’re in no hurry.
I think that we all ought to march on DC on Nov 22 in honor of the last President before the coup – JFK.
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
the house they said will pass friday when they get it they already said that expect obama to sign this sunday or eairly next week the house is the fast part the senate are the ones who always slow stuff down .
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
cheesphht is absolutely right, but the house has indicated numerous times it will take the bill the senate gives them and “act quickly.” But in all reality it could be a month, I sure hope not. I really think with as much heat they are taking and their elections not far off, they will have this bill signed into law within the next couple weeks. Anyone in the situation we are in that votes republican must be crazy. The GOP and the GOP alone has stalled this from jump street. These amendments they tried to force in obviously should have been a seperate piece of legislation. I think by next week we will have a better grasp on the real time frame.
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
Brea,
I have read varying answers on that one. It seems though they could vote as early as this afternoon, from most of the reports I’ve read, I also read one source that said they have to wait another 30 hrs (til 5:45 pm EST Thurs. Nov 5) before they can cast the vote on the actual bill UNLESS the Republicans cooperate and waive the 30 hr wait! (Which they are highly unlikely to do, given the efforts and lengths they’ve gone to to drag this thing out so far!)
This all means, that from what I’ve read at least, it is HIGHLY unlikely that the bill will reach a vote until late tomorrow evening at the earliest! The Repubs attitude is best represented by their minority whip John Kyl who recently stated .“The benefits haven’t run out yet,” Kyl said . “We’re going to pass this before the benefits run out.” Tell that to my landlord Senator Kyl! My benefits, along with over 600,000 by conservative estimates, and as many as 1 million by more liberal estimates are, like me, OUT OF BENEFITS! Of course, how can the GOP be expected to know that, sitting there week after week collecting fat checks, sitting in cushy offices, driving nice cars, eating at the best restaurants the finest food, sleeping in comfortable castles with motes around them, ALL PAID FOR WITH MY TAX MONEY, and YOURS!
What a wonderful country where the rich can simply claim ignorance as an excuse for starving and killing the poor, while they and their buddies live it up on the backs of the same people they starve, the people who pay their salary. Where 5% of the population controls 95% of the wealth, and controls the will of our leaders, in direct opposition to the wishes of our founding fathers!
Time to fix this country when our politicians are this out of touch with the heart and soul of the people, and can give billions upon billions to greedy banks, and corporate fat cats (who later pay those same senators to become their lobbyists!!Our system has cancer!).
Use your voice, and write, call, and email as many senators as you can of the Grand Old Party! Lets show these good old boys at election time that we are tired of their tyrany! We the people, this is OUR COUNTRY, they work for us! We need to show them that when they don’t mind letting American tax payers get thrown out in the street by blocking critical legislation, that we will toss their butts out on the curb as well!
Time to reinstate the will of the people, and to be a governemnt BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE as our forefathers dreamed!
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
This why the majority of Repubicans were voted out. They lost touch with the people they represent. Stop dragging your feet and help the people who need it badly.
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
God Bless you Warren… Well Said, and I second that. You are absolutely right. Vote them all out!!
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
Brandon where are you getting your information from? If this is true that’ll be great
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
This bill won’t be in the house for more than 48 hours. The reason the house passed the smaller bill (that only covered states with unemployment over 8.5%) was b/c unlike the Senate, they actually knew how necessary it was and wanted to get it out asap.
I could be wrong (it happens alot) but from what I’ve read I’m pretty sure it will fly through the house in a day or two and be on the presidents desk by next week, two weeks tops.
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Frankly, NYS and our senators has been remarkably proactive on this, but without passage we are all in a world of hurt. This is a list of the senators who have continued to attach unrelated amendments so keep this legislation stalled. No doubt they have never gone without. THEY ALL HAVE EMAIL: LET THEM KNOW THIS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) [6.8%]
Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO) [9.5%]
Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) [10.9%]
Sen. Thomas Coburn (R-OK) [6.7%]
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) [8.2%]
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) [11.6%]
Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY) [6.8%]
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) [11.6%]
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) [6.2%]
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK)[6.7%]
Sen. Jefferson Sessions (R-AL) [10.7%]
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) [7.4%]
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) [9.2%]
Sen. Mitch McConnell is the minority leader and nothing happens without him. Really, if there’s time to blog there’s time to make their lives a living hell. Their staffs especially enjoy mail from other constitutencies if you have the cost of postage. Seriously, these guys need to be miserable.
ALSO, if you are on unemployment and running out of places to apply and submit to the Dep of Labor, try this website: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov. You will never get contacted but there are thousands of jobs posted to apply for so at least you’re not stumped looking for things to apply for.
These will be the same soul-less so-n-sos who will block Healthcare Reform and Banking Regulations. Put them on speed dial. Speaking for myself, I am not laying down for this. They will be sick of hearing from me.
November 4th, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
I did read a quote from the House majority leader saying that they would address the bill as soon as it reached them. I think he has a much better sense of the urgency, sa he took the chance to take a shot at the Senate by saying he had no idea why it was taking so long to pass. The thing that concerns me is that I read a quote from my governor, Gov. Granholm-MI, yesterday stating that even if they did get this bill all the way through the President by this week, checkes wouldn’t START to hit the mail in MI until AT LEAST the middle of Dec.!!! That’s another 5-7 week delay!! I’m afraid I’m going to be pretty !@#$!@ hungry by then. I have to think that this would be similar for all states.
November 4th, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
ASSUMING THE HOUSE MOVES AS FAST AS THEY DID WITH THE ORIGINAL BILL THE MONEY COULD BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK.
I can’t speak for all states, but my experience with NYS is that the mechanism is already set up so the minute the things passes they will activate it. NYS has been exceptionally proactive with this so I have no complaints with the state on that score. And if you don’t have that experience it reflects your state’s disposition on this. The original bill that came out of the House was very clean; it addressed the needs of the long term unemployed, many of whom, myself included, are in dire circumstances and was forwarded to the Senate, where the scope was expanded, very quickly. That’s where the affore mentioned Republicans started obstructing, so forgive if I am putting this squarely on the Republicans.
I AM AFFIRMING THE HOPE THAT EVERY ONE OF US SEES AT LEAST SOME RELIEF NEXT WEEK.
November 4th, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
B.D.C. I have read similar information saying that even if it is passed this week it may be mid-december before we see any money. They said the same thing about the last extension too. I am not sure why some sites are reporting different dates, the best I can figure is they are trying to give worst case scenarios on the timeline. Hopefully for all of us it won’t take that long, it took about three weeks on the last two federal extensions in Ohio.
November 4th, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Should’ve passed long ago. Fracking GOP BS. Unemployment surtax is always passed onto to the worker. The employer suffers nothing.
November 4th, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Why would it take “weeks” after Obama signs? What are they going to walk the funds to each bank and deposit in pennies? This should be instantaneous. The Fed. sends each state a block of funds and we certify those funds directly into our accounts… ACH speed. I dont get this “its gonna take a few weeks” garbage. We’ve waited long enough!
November 4th, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
So Harry Reid in commenting on why he allowed the debate to drag on for weeks said, “… I wanted to be fair.” Fair to who, Mr Reid? Certainly not the millions of unemployed who are being thrown out of their homes for lack of funds available through proposed extended unemployment compensation. Those same people who will vote your dead hiney out of office next time around, Mr Reid. Be fair indeed! What a poor excuse for a public servant.
November 4th, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
I give a round of applause to “TheUglyTruth” I could not had identified the situation any better, but here’s my take: First off, let me say that these politicians need to have the pressure of the people in all things that they are accountable for. For starters we need have age limits and term limits associated with their positions, i.e. Senators or Congressmen, if the President of these United States has limits, I can’t comprehend why these individual are not held to the same standard.
We need to support a third party (Independents) whatever or whomever, we need people in these positions that will represent the people and be accountable to the people no matter what. They need to feel the heat or fear not being re-elected, what we currently have is an institution in place whereas, these individual do not fear the people and disregards the voice of the people as they are not listening to, WE THE PEOPLE, rather , their listening to these (special interest) groups and in the process lining their pocket with kickbacks and all other unscrupulous rewards, while the middle class folks, who are the backbone of this country and the one’s paying for everything currently, but when it’s our time to be supported they provide the old preverbal back turn. That said a lot about these old farts that are disconnected from society as it exists today, I will bet you that 80% of the individuals in these positions do not know how to use a computer, which said a lot about their judgment of today issues.
Enough about that, let address the issue of jobs. I do believe that this catastrophe would not be as critical as it currently is we would keep our job in the United States and stop this outsourcing for lower wages and higher profits, to country’s that may or may not be associated with terrorism. It’s funny, I work in the IT industry and been on 8 or so interviews in the last 3 month, I noticed that in the job descriptions it indicates “Communicates effectively”, now I worked in this environment for about 10 years and more and more I have be working with foreigner , that I can’t for the life of me understand, however, they seems to communicate effectively, I don’t think so, when I have to schedule someone else for a private meeting just to understand what is being said, that’s not effective communication, that’s call a cultural difference and the bottom line it JOBS….plain and simple.
So, if someone can explain to me that our situation would not be as grim, if we were to keep our jobs in America for Americans that would be greatly appreciated.
PLEASE PEOPLE, DO NOT FORGET WHAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE GOING THROUGH AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME….SHOW THEM COME ELECTIONS TIME.
Does any one have any blogs out there, they we can blog on about these politicans?
November 4th, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Reid wanted to be “fair” now so that they can ram healthcare down their throats when its time. We would have had our money a month ago if it wasn’t for thhis Fu..ing health care drama.
November 4th, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
Really, y’all, all “fair” means is that too much push back would have given the Republican block something to get in a snit about to validate the stall. I think Reid was just doing what he could not to exascerbate the situation. Truly, any pissy thing with these guys was something to justify fighting about. I would have been “fair” to if it would placate them.
November 4th, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Harry Reid needs to be sent out to pasture. For him to say that it was OK for endless debate because the repuks wanteded it is unacceptable. Thinking of WE The People he should have shoved this thing down their throats 2 months ago. Way to go Harry Your being a nice guy to the party of NO is not what the American people want. I’m afraid has long has Mr. Reid has hold of the senate the repblicans will have their way. Mr Reid the people have not been served.
November 4th, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
They are voting on the Bill right now. Thank God!
November 4th, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
So in answer to Gayle. I called Nevada Unemploment. They said afer the President signs the bill they have to figure out how they will give it out. Last extension took a month.
I hope Senator Reid and his republican buddies have a Happy Thanksgiving because we sure won’t
November 4th, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
So far no “NO” votes!
November 4th, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
Just passed 98-0!
November 4th, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
Hey Brea,Good to hear that I am not the only one holding on for dear life. I live in the Ralphs parking lot on Imperial&Brea.
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
Give WE THE TAXPAYER the $$$$$$$$$$$$$ OR THERE’S A RIOT GOIN’ON
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:06 pm
IT’S OFFICIAL 98-0 Ed Shultz from MSNBC just reported the extension has been voted on and went thru! Now it goes back to the senate and they promise “quick action” in the House. God Bless you all, I just hope the money gets here in time.
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
LOL correction on “Now it goes back to the house and they promise quick action” I typed senate on accident. The bill will go back to the House, once they approve it, off to the President to be signed into law. Sorry bout the typo I guess I got excited. Good luck to all the good people who are in a financial mess right now. Hopefully…This too shall pass
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
Yup confirm 98-0 all a..holes in lol congrads all
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Does anyone know if i would qualify my unemployment runs out in mid jan 2010
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Should be pen to paper this week or early next just heard on radio got tired of watchin’ them fools. Thanks Joe and all …..
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:17 pm
Rich they are going to vote to extend yours too.
November 4th, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
LOL your welcome bro. I couldn’t agree more. ;0)
November 5th, 2009 @ 1:13 am
I AM IN WA STATE. LAST EXTENSION, IN MAY, IT TOOK 3 TO 4 WEEKS TO GET THE COMPUTERS REPROGRAMMED TO ISSUE THE NEW CHECKS. WHEN I CALLED A MONTH AGO, BEFORE MY UNEMPLOYMENT RAN OUT, THEY SAID THE SAME, NOT EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE PRESIDENT SIGNS IT THAN 3 TO 4 WEEKS. EACH STATE MAY BE DIFFERENT AS TO HOW MUCH WORK THEY NEED TO DO. CALL THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE TO FIND OUT. AS TO SEN REID, I AM DISAPPOINTED, THE DEMOCRATS HAD THE POWER AND NOBODY WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT ONCE IT GETS TO THE VOTE. IF HE REALLY CARED FOR THE PEOPLE, AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS WHEN THE REPUBLICANS SHOWED THEIR COLORS HE COULD HAVE PUSHED IT THRU IN A WEEK AT MOST.
November 5th, 2009 @ 7:38 am
If I was a Republician in the Senate I would be VERY afraid of my job security with the November 2010 election.. They have proven themselves to be heartless. A month to pass this bill, REALLY ??? I know I for one will NOT be voting for anyone with an “R” in parentheses after their name.
November 5th, 2009 @ 10:02 am
These guys have committed political suicide. Do everything in your power to vote them out 2010. Pass this on to everyone you know.
Robert Bennett, Republican Senator from Utah
Christopher Bond, Republican Senator from Missouri
Sam Brownback, Republican Senator from Kansas
Jim Bunning, Republican Senator from Kentucky
Richard Burr, Republican Senator from North Carolina
Tom Coburn, Republican Senator from Oklahoma
Mike Crapo, Republican Senator from Idaho
Jim DeMint, Republican Senator from South Carolina
Chuck Grassley, Republican Senator from Iowa
Judd Gregg, Republican Senator from New Hampshire
Johnny Isakson, Republican Senator from Georgia
George LeMieux, Republican Senator from Florida
John McCain, Republican Senator from Arizona
Lisa Murkowski, Republican Senator from Alaska
Richard Shelby, Republican Senator from Alabama
Arlen Specter, Republican Senator from Pennsylvania
John Thune, Republican Senator from South Dakota
David Vitter, Republican Senator from Louisiana
George Voinovich, Republican Senator from Ohio
November 5th, 2009 @ 10:45 am
alls u people do is complain! they finally passed it look at the glass half full instead of empty iv had no money for over 2 months. this is good news be patient God wont give u what u cant handle have faith God bless America
November 5th, 2009 @ 10:50 am
i have 2 kids that now have swine flu along with me and my wife, were broke and cant afford medicene no insurance either. 2 weeks ago our apartment flooded and we lost everything were staying in a weekly and cant even afford that but with all these hard times i never lose faith everything happens for a reason we should be thanking the senate and house for helping. if this were africa they would let us all just die God bless u all.
November 5th, 2009 @ 11:21 am
This is all a horse and pony show. The senate never addressed the fact that all extended benefits end Dec 2009. How can you flaunt giving14wks or 20 wks when everything expires in 7. Most of the population will be left to fend for themselves on 1/1/2010. Next election, the Senators should be unemployed since they believe their constituents cant do basic math!
November 5th, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
UPDATE Folks the Washington Independent just confirmed 11 minutes ago that the House has PASSED the Extension. Thank God. This is good information I am on top of this trust me. Hope this brightens some spirits. Next phase is the President signing the bill into law. As far as that timeline I have heard as early as this week, and as late as early next week. As soon as I can confirm this I will update this blog and several others. Good Luck to ALL!!
November 5th, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
WOW!! I just read what cya wrote, and that is absoltely FALSE!! No the benefits do not expire as of the first of the year. LOL But the extra $25 from the stimulus may not be applied. This extra $25 was originally set to expire as of the end of the year. I repeat…benefits DO NOT expire as of the first of the year, not sure where that information came from but I assure you it has absolutely no merit. If your going to update the people on this site, do some research before you speculate, no disrespect, I won’t get into a war of words with anyone on the computer.
November 5th, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
well put JOE HELVEY keep up the good research
November 5th, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
I haven’t heard this question asked yet….and was wondering if this bill does pass — will they indeed pro-rate the monies from the last week or day someone collected? Just last week SC passed an extension that was 7 weeks added on to the third extension, and was adjusted to the final day of that particular extension. As this being the forth extension….when do they start or calculate the payment from?
November 6th, 2009 @ 7:18 am
thanks “down and out” I am praying for you and your family, keep your head up. As to Jenn Roselli’s question, I have found that this extension will NOT PRORATE from the last week of UI claimed. To the best of my knowledge you will be able to claim your weeks, (probably 2 weeks at a time), as soon as the President signs the bill into law. There are mixed reports as to when this will happen but I would say sometime early next week. I will update if the bill gets signed before hand. The minute it is signed I will update this site, so check back if you can daily. I know almost each state does things differently but I am pretty sure with respect to federal extensions we are all eligable once your regular benefits have expired. I live in Northern Kentucky, but I worked in Ohio for ten years. Wish I could say it was pro-rated Jenn, but I am pretty sure, (not positive) that it will not be pro-rated from the last week claimed. Benefits will be issued starting the first or second Sunday depending on where you live after the president signs the bill. Hope this helps. Good luck to all.
November 6th, 2009 @ 10:13 am
OK, I have just read on three different sources that the unemployment bill has been sent to the White House and the President is slated to sign the legislation today. This has not been confirmed yet, as soon as I can confirm that the bill has been signed, I will update this site. The bill is HR 3548 if anyone wants to search the web, but I promise I am on top of it. God Bless you all, especially you down and out…help is coming!
November 6th, 2009 @ 10:20 am
President Obama just signed the bill!!!! Yes it is confirmed! Signed sealed delivered. The legislation is officially law. The bill was signed at 12:15 eastern time. ;0) Sure hope that brightens some spirits, I know how hard this has been on all of us. Good luck and God Speed to all of you. I have enjoyed keeping good people informed, as a Marine I felt it was my duty. Semper Fi
November 6th, 2009 @ 10:38 am
Hi Joe and thanks for info. Regarding fourth extension — I probably need to re-word my question. Only because you said possibly claiming two weeks at a time. Therefore, I am assuming you mean that you will be able to collect from the date when they initially passed the fourth extension, that was held up for nearly a month. Is that correct?? Or does it start from “today” and on? I was simply saying….that SC passes an additional 7 weeks that was added to the 3rd extension that almost ends for many. Not related to this one. Thanks!!:) Jenn
November 6th, 2009 @ 10:59 am
THE BILL HAS BEEN SIGNED!! It is officially law. The legislation arrived at the white house this morning and has been signed. Hope this brightens some spirits as I know first hand how hard this has been on all of us. I also want to clear up the questions on who this applies to…Anyone who exhausts their benefits before the end ot the year is entitled to this extension. I am man enough to admit when I am wrong, I honestly did not know these parameters applied. For more info visit CNNmoney.com As they were the first ones to report this information. I will write, e-mail, and call every representative, senator, and the President on your behalf if you are one of the people who’s benefits expire after the new year as this is totally unfair. Rich’s benefits expire in January and the way this bill is written the extension will not apply to him.
November 6th, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Hi Jenn, ok as far as the dollar amount that will not change. You will collect the same amount you have been getting assuming they don’t take out for child support or something along those lines. As far as the date, today is the effective date. In other words when you start getting your check or direct deposit they will only go back to November 6th. And I checked into your state they are very similair to mine. You will be issued a check approximately one month from today. It could be as far out as mid December, but they usually all say that so they can be the hero if it get’s there sooner. You should be notified within the next ten to twelve days that you are eligable for the extension. If you are filing from your computer and I am assuming you are, I can tell you that will be the quickest way to get paid. You can also file via phone interview in S.C. The phone system will be inendated with calls but if you have the patience to hurry up and wait on hold for an hour or so the phone application is just as good. Just tell me your benefits expire before the end of the year Jenn.
November 6th, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
HEY JOE AND JENN CHECK THIS OUT..MORE INFO ON THE NEWLY SIGNED/PASSED BILL NOW CALLED THE H.R.3548- Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009-
THIS SHOULD ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT BENEFITS ENDING AT YEARS END..this man is THE MAN..follow him for more realistic info,the following was copied and pasted for you guys, hope it helps!
Chairman McDermott Again Passes Unemployment Insurance Benefits Extension President Will Sign Legislation Soon
November 5, 2009
Americans who already have or soon will exhaust their unemployment insurance benefits will quickly realize the benefit of legislation, H.R. 3548, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) passed by an overwhelmingly margin (403-12) in the House today to extend unemployment insurance benefits in all 50 states by 14 weeks and an additional 6 weeks in states where the unemployment rate is 8.5% or higher. McDermott is the chairman of the House Ways and Means Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the nation’s unemployment insurance program.
“Despite positive signs we are seeing in the economy, it will take time to restore the jobs lost during the recession and this bill provides an economic lifeline for over one million Americans whose benefits have already run out or would have in coming weeks,” Rep. McDermott said. “These are benefits the American people deserve and have earned in the workforce.”
McDermott originally passed an UI extender bill in late September; the Senate added additional states and other provisions. With today’s vote, the bill will be immediately sent to the White House and the President’s is expected to sign the bill into law in the next couple of days.
While the legislation provides immediate help, McDermott said that Congress will need to act again before the end of the year to allow the extended UI benefits to continue into 2010. McDermott said, “We cannot forget that we’re not yet out of the woods; 6 people are competing for every available job and economists continue to project rising unemployment numbers and we cannot let people down just as they are beginning to get back on their feet.”
The legislation passed in the House today also included a program to benefit small business and it extended and expanded the Homebuyer Tax Credit Program. The provision was added by the Senate, but weeks ago, the Seattle Democrat threw his support behind the Homebuyer Tax Credit Program.
“The Homebuyer Tax Credit Program clearly has helped to stabilize America’s critical housing market and is nurturing a fragile comeback,” Rep. McDermott said. “Continuing and expanding the program for a few additional months reaffirms our commitment to the economic security of the American people.”
http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/pr091105.shtml
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3548/show
November 6th, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
It’s me again
I am in Georgia and just went to the Ga Dept of Labor website and filled out the ‘Extension Claim’ form, this was the form used for the 1st and 2nd tier EUC-not really sure if this will speed up the slow process of getting that 1st check, but hey it shouldn’t hurt either right?
I am trying to be a step ahead of the game, if I don’t try any of these tactics I will lose hope and will be ready to jump off the nearest bridge because I am already 2 months behind in rent and the Repo man is looking for my car,battery is dead so I can’t drive it anyway.. electricity due on this coming Monday-no heat now and I have about $2.50 in my ‘change jar’..
well good luck to all of us and as they said back in the day..’keep hope alive’
November 6th, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
YEA HA, it passed before I was on my death bed and let me add, we unemployed are good people. At least we are not eating horses, not that we ever would, thank God.
I’m Country Carl the Artist and Advocate for additional unemployment benefits on Unemployment-Gone-Mad dot com. Across this great country the pawn shops were the only ones mining gold. As we waited for an unemployment extension, thousands more became dumpster divers, tent pitchers and street corner beggars. Even pets were becoming a burden for tearful owners and freaking out when they became abandon. So my hat is off to those of you who finally saw the light, because these New Depression Blues times can drag a good man to the bottle. Bless you Senators my beer summit is to you old farts. Here is another big YEA HA from Country Carl. So google me up and cheer along, you actually did it.
November 11th, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
UPDATE ON THE SO CALLED NEW UI EXTENSION
To hear the Democrats tell the tale, the extension of jobless benefits enacted over the weekend will provide those living in high-unemployment states with an additional 20 weeks of insurance.
Well, not quite.
Because the bill was held up for so long in the Senate, an end-of-the-year filing deadline will prevent anyone from accessing the final six weeks of benefits, according to state officials and sources on Capitol Hill. On Friday, President Obama signed into law legislation extending jobless benefits by 14 weeks nationwide, with an additional six weeks for those states where unemployment rates top 8.5 percent. Those benefits kicked in on Sunday. But there’s a glitch. The new law treats the 20-week extension as two separate extensions of 14 weeks and six weeks, with participants required to exhaust the first 14 weeks before applying for the next six. However, the current law keeps a Dec. 31 application deadline, roughly seven weeks from now, making collecting the full 20 weeks impossible.
Image by: Matt Mahurin
Image by: Matt Mahurin
That’s not all. The emergency unemployment benefits provided beginning in 2008 are also tiered. The filing deadline applies to all tiers. That is, the new extension would effectively grandfather the unemployed into the tier where they sit at the end of December, preventing them from jumping into the next, even if they were eligible.
As a result, some members of Congress are already eying another sweeping unemployment extension, which would both address the deadline glitch and provide additional help — well beyond the six weeks in question — to those unable to find work next year, when jobless rates are expected to hover near double digits.
The Orange County Register first reported on the deadline glitch last week.
In a state like California, where unemployment currently stands above 12 percent, that technicality would prove significant. Loree Levy, spokesperson for California’s Employment Development Department, said Monday that an estimated 92,000 residents had exhausted all of their available unemployment by the end of October, and roughly 285,000 will be eligible for the newly enacted benefits by the end of the year. Whether they can get 20 weeks or only 14, though, depends on whether Congress extends the filing deadline.
Some in Congress are well aware of the problem. The office of Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) said Monday that he’ll be pushing a proposal to provide as much as an additional year’s worth of jobless benefits. The proposal will be wrapped into a package to include other provisions designed to ease Main Street’s pain amid the downturn, including money to subsidize COBRA health benefits, as well as a provision to extend the full federal funding of a traditionally state-federal unemployment insurance program called FedEd, which got full federal funding under the stimulus bill. Without congressional action, states would again have to pick up part of the FedEd tab at the end of 2009.
McDermott doesn’t have an easy task. The pricetag for extending just the unemployment benefits for one year is roughly $80 billion, the McDermott aide said. With deficit spending having topped $1 trillion in the last fiscal year — and with an enormous health reform proposal in the works — the congressional appetite for expensive new proposals is hardly ravenous. Still, with national unemployment at 10.2 percent — and no wave of new jobs on the horizon — even the most ardent small-government conservatives would have a tough time voting against additional relief.
November 24th, 2009 @ 9:25 am
I am not sure if anyone is going to this site any longer, as I am not seeing any current updates. However, does anyone know anything about South Carolinas instructions and guidlines for the new 4th extension? I am at a lost, and can’t seem to gain anything from anyone. The ansswer I get from all the SC employment offices is…..that they know nothing about new extension that passed already. I see that a few states have started the process and have been issuing checks since Monday. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GUIDE ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND PROVIDE WITH SOME INFO> TO MOVE FORWARD? What’s the deal with SC not revealing anything or stating they have no clue to what is going on???? Thanks in advance:)
November 24th, 2009 @ 9:29 am
I am not sure if anyone is going to this site any longer, as I am not seeing any current updates. However, does anyone know anything about South Carolinas instructions and guidlines for the new 4th extension? I am at a lost, and can’t seem to gain anything from anyone. The answer I get from all the SC employment offices is…..that they know nothing about new extension that passed already. I see that a few states have started the process and have been issuing checks since Monday. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GUIDE ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND PROVIDE ME WITH SOME INFO, SO THAT I MAY MOVE FORWARD? What’s the deal with SC not revealing anything or stating they have no clue to what is going on???? Thanks in advance:)