Tuesday
Oct202009
Dem. Senators Pressure The Right To Move Faster With Unemployment Benefits Bill
By Ravi Bhatia-Talk Radio News Service
Democratic senators accused their Republican colleagues of becoming “A party of ‘No’” today on Capitol Hill, expressing concern that the right is delaying a bill to extend unemployment benefits for 14 additional weeks to those whose benefits are expiring before 2010.
The bill would add 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to citizens in states suffering the highest unemployment rates, such as Rhode Island and Michigan.
“Every state has been hit by this recession, every state is seeing these problems,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I) said. “The Republicans have thrown up opposition in terms of requesting a CBO score when we know [the bill] is fully paid for and fully offset. Now they’re delaying passage by offering amendments that have nothing to do with unemployment. Instead of action, they are just simply saying 'no'.”
Every dollar of unemployment benefits generates $1.60, according to Reed, who later added that the Republicans proposed attaching amendments that relate to ACORN funding and extending the $8,000 real estate tax credit.
Employers pay state and federal unemployment taxes. To pay for the bill, the Democrats proposed extending federal unemployment taxes one more year. Republican senators want the bill to be paid for by other means.
The national unemployment rate has reached 9.8 percent and continues to climb, according to the U.S Deptartment of Labor.
“We don’t need more foreclosures. We need to help folks,” said Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), whose state’s unemployment rate is at 7.6 percent. “And this is the time to do it.”
Democratic senators accused their Republican colleagues of becoming “A party of ‘No’” today on Capitol Hill, expressing concern that the right is delaying a bill to extend unemployment benefits for 14 additional weeks to those whose benefits are expiring before 2010.
The bill would add 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to citizens in states suffering the highest unemployment rates, such as Rhode Island and Michigan.
“Every state has been hit by this recession, every state is seeing these problems,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I) said. “The Republicans have thrown up opposition in terms of requesting a CBO score when we know [the bill] is fully paid for and fully offset. Now they’re delaying passage by offering amendments that have nothing to do with unemployment. Instead of action, they are just simply saying 'no'.”
Every dollar of unemployment benefits generates $1.60, according to Reed, who later added that the Republicans proposed attaching amendments that relate to ACORN funding and extending the $8,000 real estate tax credit.
Employers pay state and federal unemployment taxes. To pay for the bill, the Democrats proposed extending federal unemployment taxes one more year. Republican senators want the bill to be paid for by other means.
The national unemployment rate has reached 9.8 percent and continues to climb, according to the U.S Deptartment of Labor.
“We don’t need more foreclosures. We need to help folks,” said Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), whose state’s unemployment rate is at 7.6 percent. “And this is the time to do it.”
tagged 
Ravi Bhatia, democrats, republicans, senators, unemployment in Congress, News/Commentary
Ravi Bhatia, democrats, republicans, senators, unemployment in Congress, News/Commentary
Reader Comments (3)
6 unemployed workers for every job available. Skeptics always bring up incentive/laziness factors.
First of all, if all 15 million unemployed put in 110% effort into finding a new job, as they should, the bottom line is that over 80% of those 15 million will still be unemployed no matter how much effort they put into it. It's also true that unemployment extensions not only help the long term unemployed, they provide effective economic stimulus. These extended benefits help prevent more defaults, foreclosures, and more layoffs as unemployment benefits go right back into the economy. It's OK to bail out wall street cronies and banks with 800 billion and keep them afloat through hard times of their own design, while its too much to spend 2 Billion to help those laid off as victims of the wall street/banking cronies. Extending the small surtax is small in comparison to the need of the people. That tax will easily pay for itself in returned revenue. There is no well founded excuse for the republicans to continue stalling on this measure.
CONGRESS PASS THE UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION BILL ALREADY!!! Too many American citizens are having their utilites shut off & being evicted from their homes, while you all on the Hill are living comfortably. Do your jobs & represent the American people who are jobless & struggling to support themselves & their families. We needed this bill passed weeks ago, so pass it now before even more hardship is incurred. This greatly needed legislation should not take this long to pass. This is unacceptable & has nothing to do with party affiliation (both Republicans & Democrats are out of work), Acorn, nor any other hot button topic thats preventing Republicans from passing this extension.
We Can Get This Bill Passed!
The Senators that continue to delay passing the unemployment bill need to read the real human stories shared by Americans who are suffering. Those stories can be found by going to:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pass-the-unemployment-bill
Those of you who are unemployed please visit the site and add your signature for support.