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Millions of Americans will see their jobless benefits renewed after Democrats broke a Republican filibuster and moved a bill that would increase the length of time that individuals can collect unemployment benefits.
The AP writes:
At issue are payments averaging $309 a week for almost 5 million people whose 26 weeks of state benefits have run out. Those people are enrolled in a federally financed program providing up to 73 additional weeks of unemployment benefits. About half of those currently eligible have seen their benefits cut off since funding expired June 2. The jobless benefits are a lifeline to millions of people struggling to find work in what has so far been a largely jobless recovery.
Republicans say they support the benefits extension. But with the exception of Maine GOP moderates Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, who voted with Democrats Tuesday, they insist any benefits be financed by cuts to programs elsewhere in the $3.7 trillion federal budget.
It took the swearing in of Democrat Carte Goodwin to succeed West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd, who died at 92, for Democrats to gather the necessary votes.
"This bill is about jobs because unemployment insurance goes to people who will spend it immediately," said Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont). "That would increase economic demand, and that would help support our fragile economic recovery."
Republicans say their refusal to support the bill has to do with the borrowing that will take place to fund it. Yet, Republicans have voted to extend benefits through deficit spending at least twice in 2008. The difference this time is that Republicans see an opportunity to win seats in the upcoming midterm elections by portraying themselves as fiscal conservatives.
"What we do not support -- and we make no apologies for -- is borrowing tens of billions of dollars to pass this bill at a time when the national debt is spinning completely out of control," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky).
We all agree that the deficit is out of control and that we need to take steps to reduce it now; however, cutting benefits that average out to just $309 per week is not the way to do it. If Republicans want to cut the deficit, I propose they look at some of the pork spending, which they have not renounced, and our ridiculous military spending.
President Barack Obama strongly criticized Republicans, saying:
"There is a longtime tradition in this country to offer emergency support" to those who need it, said Obama. "Under my predecessor, Republicans voted several times to extend benefits. I have to say, after years of championing policies that turned a surplus into a record deficit, Republicans now don't want to give help to those who need it."
More importantly, voters, particularly those who identify as Republicans, need to wise up.All of those 5 million people whose unemployment benefits will be affected by this bill can't be Democrats and Independents.
If I were an unemployed Republican, I'd be mad as hell that the Republican party is trying to win seats while I struggle to feed my family or keep my home from foreclosure. Politics should never be more important than helping people.
"I can't tell you how relieved we will be when Congress passes this. We have in Pennsylvania about 200,000 people who have lost their unemployment compensation coverage because of their inaction," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Labor and Industry Sandi Vito. "Folks need this money for their mortgages, for food, and so our goal is to get them their payments as quickly as possible."
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By: Sedated on 7/21/2010 11:47PM
"If I were an unemployed Republican, I'd be mad as hell that the Republican party is trying to win seats while I struggle to feed my family or keep my home from foreclosure. Politics should never be more important than helping people."
An unemployed Republican isn't looking for another handout, They're too busy looking for a job doing whatever it takes to support their families. Not waiting for extensions on unearned benefits.
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By: sammiehdiu on 7/22/2010 7:00PM
u will need a helping hand if u are republican or democrat when u cant find a job.
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