rssSenate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 2:56 pm
- 70 Comments
People in line for a job fair in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Michael Francis McElroy/ZUMA Press)
This afternoon, the Senate cleared a crucial hurdle to reauthorizing the federal extension of unemployment benefits, held up in the Senate for an unprecedented two months. The upper chamber voted down a filibuster of H.R. 4213, also known as the jobs bill or the extenders package — the vehicle for a $34 billion extension of jobless benefits, retroactive to June 2, when they lapsed, and continuing through the end of November.
[Economy1] The cloture vote took place immediately following the swearing-in of Sen. Carte Goodwin (D-W.Va.), the temporary replacement for Sen. Robert Byrd, who passed away at the end of June at the age of 92. Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins (Maine) joined 58 members of the Democratic caucus — every member save for Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) — in voting to end debate on the bill. All other Republicans opposed. The final vote was 60 to 40.
The bill now moves to a majority-rules vote on the actual legislation. Democrats hope to pass that today, though Republicans could object and force the majority party to wait 30 hours to vote. After that, the bill returns to the House, where the Democratic leadership plans to pass it as quickly as possible. (The Senate is not voting on H.R. 5618, the House’s standalone version, opting instead to hold a new vote on a failed Senate bill in order to bypass an additional procedural roadblock.) President Obama could sign the bill as early as Wednesday evening, barring procedural hold-ups, and states could begin the process of disbursing the benefits as early as Thursday morning.
The bill does not include an extension of the $25-a-week Federal Additional Compensation funds, tacked onto many unemployment checks. It also does not include any of the other provisions originally included in or proposed for the jobs bill or extenders package: It does not close tax loopholes, or provide Medicaid funding to states, or include funds to keep teachers and other state employees working. It also does not create an additional fifth tier of benefits; federal extensions only continue in states with higher than an 8 percent unemployment rate, and the maximum weeks of state and federal benefits remains ninety-nine.
Nevertheless, the unemployment extension comes as a desperately needed lifeline to 2.5 million American families. “When millions of Americans lost their jobs, they didn’t just lose a place to go to work in the morning,” Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said on the Senate floor on Monday. “They lost their incomes, their savings and their retirement security. They lost their tuition payments. Many lost their homes. They lost their gas money and their grocery money. All of this through no fault of their own. I’m not talking about just a handful of people in an isolated corner of the country. I’m talking about millions of Americans from every one of our states.”
Additionally, economists expect the unemployment benefits extension to have a strong stimulative impact on the economy, as the recovery lags and a growing band of experts calls for more government spending to keep up demand. Lawrence Mishel, the head of the Economic Policy Institute, estimates that the unemployment benefits extension will support 800,000 jobs over the remainder of the year — as the unemployed generally spend their unemployment benefits immediately, rather than using them to pay down debt or to keep as savings. Unemployment benefits usually end up costing the government only about 40 percent of the sticker price, Mishel said on a call with reporters on Monday. “[Passing the unemployment extension] is not only a decent thing to do. It’s one of the most stimulative things you can do to create jobs,” he noted.
But Republicans have argued that unemployment benefits should no longer be considered emergency spending, in which case they would not be allowed to raise the deficit. “We’ve offered ways of paying for these programs, and we’ve been eager to approve them,” argued Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “But we can’t support job-killing taxes and adding tens of billions to the already unsustainable national debt. So the only reason the unemployment extension hasn’t passed is because Democrats simply refuse to pass a bill that doesn’t add to the debt. That’s it. That’s the only difference between what they’ve offered and what we’ve offered.” A number of Republican senators — including McConnell and Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) — introduced unemployment bills with offsets.
Over the weekend, President Obama joined the Democratic caucus in hitting at Republicans for blocking the benefits for so long. Never in U.S. history have extended benefits been allowed to expire with unemployment over 7 percent. He devoted his Saturday radio address the topic. And, speaking in the Rose Garden on Monday, flanked by three unemployed Americans, Obama said: “[Republicans] say we shouldn’t provide unemployment insurance because it costs money. So after years of championing policies that turned a record surplus into a massive deficit, including a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, they’ve finally decided to make their stand on the backs of the unemployed. They’ve got no problem spending money on tax breaks for folks at the top who don’t need them and didn’t even ask for them; but they object to helping folks laid off in this recession who really do need help.”
Follow Annie Lowrey on Twitter
70 Comments
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Stephen White, WashIndependent. WashIndependent said: Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension – http://bit.ly/aUykgL [...]
Trackback posted July 20, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension…
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)…
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
[...] full post on The Washington Independent advertising Benefits, Extension, obstacle, overcomes, Senate, [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
[...] Goodwin’s support, the Senate passed cloture on the unemployment benefits extension bill shortly after his swearing-in. When Goodwin cast his vote in favor of the bill, applause broke out [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Trackback posted July 20, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension ……
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)…
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 6:16 pm
[...] senators for acting to restore unemployment benefits to 2.5 million people who began losing their chUnemployment Benefits – Obama thanks senators for moving unemployment billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 6:18 pm
[...] senators for acting to restore unemployment benefits to 2.5 million people who began losing their chUnemployment Benefits – Obama thanks senators for moving unemployment billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
[...] more than six months broke free of Senate Republican delaying tactics on Tuesday. Senators voted 6Unemployment Benefits – Source: ap/wp. Legislation to restore unemployment benefits to millions who have been out of work [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
[...] senators for acting to restore unemployment benefits to 2.5 million people who began losing their chUnemployment Benefits – Obama thanks senators for moving unemployment billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
[...] let’s actually look at what the Senate passed. It does not include any of the other elements of the tax extenders bill, include state fiscal aid [...]
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 7:16 pm
Great news! We can continue to pay our monthly obligations while relentlessley searching for work and continuing our education and sharpening our skills. See this as an opportunity and seize it that is exactly what my family will be doing. I look forward to working again and contributing to this great nation of ours.
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
This is TERRIFIC news! But I wonder how many people are pretty much beyond help by now.
If someone's benefits expired in May or June, then they're probably in the beginning stages of eviction by now.
Here in California, a landlord can start the eviction process after only 7 days of unpaid rent.
Nevertheless, I applaud the senators (Democrat and Republican) who worked so hard to get this bill passed. Thank you sooooooooo much!!!
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Thank you, Senator Goodwin, Gov Manchin II, the great state of WV and all the other 59 senators, who actually know what compassion is for the American worker, who have been victims of the worst recession since the Great Depression. You are all the real champions of the people!
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
In a matter of days, I can afford to buy food, fill up the gas tank in my car and actually venture out and look for employment, again and attend job fairs and interviews! Thank you!!
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
So it is done, Am I relieved yes. Grateful no! This was a Dog and Pony show that used the unemployed as a side show attraction. The politicians of this country threw away over 15 million people to make some bogus point of fiscal responsibility. These individuals and they are individuals have put my home and family in jeopardy and I will NOT FORGET. So once the feeling of relief is over and you remember how much suffering you went through because of this charade take a good look at yourself and remember that we elected these individuals to represent us. Do you think they did?
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 9:46 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Pingback posted July 20, 2010 @ 11:51 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 11:57 pm
Documents show media plotting to kill stories about Rev. Jeremiah Wright
http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/20/documents-sho…
“In one instance, Spencer Ackerman of the Washington Independent urged his colleagues to deflect attention from Obama’s relationship with Wright by changing the subject. Pick one of Obama’s conservative critics, Ackerman wrote, “Fred Barnes, Karl Rove, who cares — and call them racists.”
This activist rag is a joke.
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 11:58 pm
Also, stop voting for liberals and jobs will start to come back!
Comment posted July 20, 2010 @ 11:59 pm
Yes, FINALLY!
.. Thank you to the Democratic Senators & only “2″ Republican Senators Snowe and Collins who actually voted to pass this reduced version of the UI extension bill.
The other Republican Senators voted against helping any out of work American citizens will have a bipartisan backlash to fend off come November elections against incumbents. Being demonized by Republicans Senators as lazy and drug addicted when you've worked most of your life and paid taxes that pay their salaries is unconscionable! What's more important is the hypocrisy that Republicans are espousing that they only want to pass Bill’s that are being paid for and not adding to the deficit.
Okay if that’s true… then we shouldn't pass the Republican’s next upcoming extension Bill of the Bush Tax cuts (to the wealthy) as they ADD $ 765 Billion to the deficit over the next 10 years. The UI Benefits Extension Bill adds $ 34Billion. Hmmm….
What I believe more important is to look at new legistation that would help get Banks to start easing up on their now overly restrictive lending measures and start lending money to small businesses and home owners. The only way you can grow the economy is through lending. Both sides – Republicans and Democrats have been playing politics with our lives over the past several months. I say we take a hard look at our elected officials voting records on both sides of the house, and do a clean sweep in November…
Btw… Senate Republicans this afternoon added in an additional 30 hours of debate before the final vote takes place to just create more of a delay to get payments out. I say we hold off their paychecks and medical benefits. What do you think?
Pingback posted July 21, 2010 @ 1:42 am
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 12:48 am
For all of you who are job hunting with no luck, I hope this has passed in time to help you. I can't believe the republicans played politics with your lives. I hope you remember who was willing to throw you to the dogs come November. If repubs get elected at a higher rate then democrats, nothing will be accomplished because all the right wants to do is foil the president, not do what is best for the citizens.
Pingback posted July 21, 2010 @ 2:03 am
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 3:00 am
Just remember that the Republicans filibustered all the other provisions, including help for the 99ers. I'm glad and relieved that there will be UI benefits for the “recently” unemployed, but while Republicans whine about the deficit (which THEY created), and lack of jobs (which they also stifle by their obstructionism and intransigence), more needs to be done. Desperately.
I expect no help from them, and there should be no illusions for the American people that this won't continue. There are those who are so mad they have nothing good to say about ANY Congressperson, be they Republican OR Democrat. While I can't fault their anger, the facts are the facts.
The Teabaggers won't be any different than the GOBP. I'm hoping that is clear to them. Like them or not, the Democrats are the ONLY party that will listen.
I fought in Iraq, and to my dismay, things were bad when I got home. They've only gotten worse since. So much so, that I am an activist. The message you present is a great one, and needs to be sounded as loudly, clearly and as often as possible. Tax cuts for the rich WILL NOT spur the economy, no matter what right-wing TV and radio parrots say. They will only add to the deficit the Republicans snivel and cry about. Hypocrisy at it's best.
I'm working to put ALL those provisions that were struck BACK on the table! My Congresspeople and Senators from my state all know this, and they are all Dems. I, like you, want this country back on it's feet.
Think the Republicans are crying loudly now? Come November, they may not be much more than a mousefart in the wind.
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 5:17 am
So they will use up another 30 hours of my life, to reach an agreement that they have to pass. We all know that the tax cuts will pass, it was the deal between Dems and Republicans to pass HR 4213. My question is once it is passed can we the people request that it be repealed? I am very tired of these games, and I want to fight back. If the President has the power to veto, how would you feel if he didn't? November is a long way off, and the campaigns will be vicious and completely and sadly untrue. Also with the media being so biased you know that the issues will once again be hidden.How can we protect ourselves? I feel that it is the general public against the elite and that is a nice way to say legal mobsters and on some very basic level the general population feels that the mobsters are smarter and stronger then we are. When did our votes become so unimportant? Or is that just the message they want us to believe? I am scared for our future, if we don't believe in the power of our vote then they win. This is not about parties, the whole issue is about the American voters and our acceptance of very bad representation. We are at war on two fronts. The middle east is one, but the most dangerous is the one here at home. We will eventually leave the middle east, but where would we go if we have to leave home.
Pingback posted July 21, 2010 @ 8:22 am
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Pingback posted July 21, 2010 @ 8:43 am
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension « The Washington Independent [...]
Pingback posted July 21, 2010 @ 9:04 am
[...] Senate Democrats cleared the 60-vote cloture hurdle to restoring federally extended unemployment benefits for 2.6 million [...]
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
It looks good,I have learn a recruit!
Recently,I found an excellent online store, the
Wholesale Shoes
china wholesalers
nfl jerseys
nfl jerseys
are completely various, good quality and cheap price,it’s worth buying!
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
When I made money and had security, I voted Republican. But where are they now that I've lost everything and have no job, no money, no security? I will be voting Democrat from now on.
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
if they dont hurry with the help, crime will go up. hell, the police are being layed off so i guess the people that are desperate might as well revolt. if someone started robbing these “politicians” i bet you will see swifter action
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 11:28 pm
Totally agree. Take away their per diem, cafeteria, gym, health care, retirement and high pay. Give them the average unemployment benefit.
Pingback posted July 22, 2010 @ 6:03 am
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Comment posted July 22, 2010 @ 7:02 am
We wouldn't be asking for unemployment extensions if money wasn't wasted on bailouts with no provisions. Banks don't have to raise their fees or foreclose on homes. Credit card companies don't need to raise their rates. But there is no accountability for the big money players of our economy. So yes vote! Our priorities in this country have to change for the people by the people.
Pingback posted July 22, 2010 @ 10:57 am
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension … [...]
Comment posted July 23, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
All I can say is that it is about time. I have been without benefits going on 8 weeks now and I have two young chidren to feed. I actually had to give up our rental home and move in with my 28 year old son and his family. It should have never toke as long as it did to pass and I personally as someone who has worked since I was 14 (47 now) resent that fact very much.
Comment posted July 23, 2010 @ 2:50 pm
Good thing you woke up Republicians have never been in it for the working class of America. History proves that
Pingback posted July 23, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension « The Washington Independent [...]
Trackback posted July 24, 2010 @ 1:30 am
Blog Commenting: The Short-Term Benefits Vs. The Long-Term Benefits…
I found your entry interesting thus I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)…
Comment posted July 24, 2010 @ 2:10 am
Well im just absolutely terrified i just read that states with the unemployment rate under 8% wont be getting the extensions. I live in Cheyenne wyoming, its all about who you know…. jobs are so hard to come by.. my last employer a doctor indead up having a nervous break down and on a monday i went to work put patients in there rooms and no doc… i thought he was dead he talked crazy a week before… then he jus skipped town took my pay and patients mand that was hell i went through needing that paycheck to feed my kids… i sold stuff. still no job ive applied almost everwhere in this small town… nothing… cant believe it never not me… and now they came yesterday to shut of my electric im praying for that check and now i read i might not get it… im scared… well to much bad news on here i gotta ride back home and deal with it.. thank god for the library or i couldnt even job hunt…. and i ended my 2 tier… emailed senators and my senator barrasso gave me a bunch of political bs. but i bet he had a hell of a dinner that night… we ate bread……. this state is small.. so our percentage would be low, i had so much hope and now… im terrified again, i jst wish i new the truth my unemployment office knows nothing they say…. just no help here,, im stuck… man what now…… :-( if it was coming it could be to late…..
Pingback posted July 27, 2010 @ 1:56 pm
[...] U.S. Senate made strides Tuesday to approve an extension of unemployment benefits that will give out-of-work Americans till [...]
Comment posted July 28, 2010 @ 11:29 am
All I can say is that it is about time. I have been without benefits going on 8 weeks now and I have two young chidren to feed. I actually had to give up our rental home and move in with my 28 year old son and his family. It should have never toke as long as it did to pass and I personally as someone who has worked since I was 14 (47 now) resent that fact very much.
Comment posted July 28, 2010 @ 11:10 pm
When will the electorate wake up?
While all the news was , about how unemployment benefits were being held up by the evil republicans , no matter was it revealed that the reason the evil republicans would not vote yes was because tax loopholes were to be closed for those sending jobs overseas.
The reason for unemployment is all the jobs no longer in the U.S bring down
the economy , hence, unemployment.
Why was this not reported by all in the know?
Wake up! It makes no difference, Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal
or what have you. Money talks and everything else walks
Comment posted August 9, 2010 @ 4:46 pm
Why was this not reported by all in the know?
Wake up! It makes no difference, Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal
or what have you. Money talks and everything else walks
Pingback posted August 19, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
[...] Senate Overcomes Key Obstacle to Unemployment Benefits Extension « The Washington Independent [...]
Trackback posted August 20, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
Make Money Online – the Benefits…
I found your entry interesting thus I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)…
Comment posted October 27, 2010 @ 6:52 am
After cheap airmax 90s releasing the nike airmax OG College Navy colorway air max 95s of the Nike Air Max Uptempo nike air max trainers 97, Nike is back nike air max 180 with a new nike air max 24-7 retro+ nike air max 1 colorway nike air max 90 nike air max 95 of the air max classic bw nike air max ltd 90s air max 90 current classic, the Wolf Grey Nike Air nike air max ltd 2 Max Uptempo 97. The Wolf Grey Nike Air Max Uptempo features a Wolf Grey nubuck upper with an Orion Blue trim and Orion Blue accents sitting on an Orion Blue midsole that features an Orion Blue to Wolf Grey fade, a Wolf Grey Visible Air Unit, and an Orion Blue outsole.
Comment posted March 21, 2011 @ 4:28 pm
Wowzers louboutin bianca – check out Cheryl Cole louboutin rolando showing off her new tattoos! discount louboutin shoes The X Factor stunner turned up at louboutin shoes discount the National TV Awards christian louboutin wedge 2011 in a fierce Versace LBD and Christian Louboutin mens louboutins red shoes. We hope she applied her christian louboutin sneakers Fake Bake a while louboutin very prive before louboutin slingback she red christian louboutin put on her dress – those bondage-style straps make for the worst tan lines ever! Cheryl even went all matchy matchy with red lips and nails to go with her yellow-brick-road-worthy red heels. There’s no place like the red carpet, eh Chez!
!
Trackback posted March 31, 2011 @ 8:48 pm
Immigration Solicitors…
[...]we like to honor other sites on the web, even if they aren’t related to us, by linking to them. Below are some sites worth checking out[...]…
Trackback posted April 3, 2011 @ 11:43 am
Property Solicitor…
[...]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[...]…
Trackback posted April 15, 2011 @ 5:58 pm
Cricut…
[…]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[…]…
Trackback posted April 19, 2011 @ 4:11 pm
Recent Favourite Sites…
[...]below you can check out my links page http://www.hemorrhoidtreatmentcurerelief.com/my-favourite-sites/ with some great websites that I think you should definitely go visit[...]…
Trackback posted April 21, 2011 @ 8:57 am
Interesting Read…
[...]some other related resources on the web that are worth viewing on this subject include[...]…
Trackback posted April 28, 2011 @ 3:48 pm
Unrelated sites…
[…]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[…]…
Trackback posted May 9, 2011 @ 5:49 pm
Unrelated sites…
[…]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[…]…
Comment posted May 10, 2011 @ 2:24 am
Glad to recommend you a very useful sites,christian louboutin shoes hope to help your life bring convenience
Comment posted May 11, 2011 @ 3:35 am
This was a really wonderful article. coach factory outlet storeThank you for your provided information.
Trackback posted May 13, 2011 @ 1:58 am
Unrelated sites…
[…]while the sites we link to below are completely unrelated to ours, we think they are worth a read, so have a look[…]…
Comment posted May 19, 2011 @ 6:42 am
Thank you very much for the information great post,cheap true religion jeans found it on true religion jeans
Comment posted May 24, 2011 @ 7:33 am
i have nevere seen before this type of post your posts are always different from others camo chi hair straighteners
Comment posted July 29, 2011 @ 2:52 am
I hope you will keep updating your content
coach wholesale handbags
constantly as you have one dedicated reader here.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
