2010 Unemployment Extension - House Could Pass Standalone UI Benefits Bill Today
Three Opportunities in Congress to Get Unemployment Benefits Rolling Again
However, another vote is tentatively scheduled on the unemployment extension restoration bill today under normal House rules. Under these rules, only a regular majority is required, so the bill is expected to pass.
According to OpenCongress.org, H.R. 5618, authored by Rep. Tom McDerMott (D-Washington) and co-sponsored by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Michigan), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee: "would extend the filing deadline for extended unemployment insurance benefits until Nov. 30, 2010." This standalone UI extension bill does not restore the $25 per week FAC addition from the 2009 "stimulus" bill, but should restore unemployment benefits retroactively to the 1.2 million jobless whose benefits were cut off as far back as May.
Should the unemployment extension bill pass in the House as expected, it will then need to go on to the Senate for passage there. Once again, though, because H.R. 5618 in its current form is not "offset" or paid for, it could well bog down or even die there. Republicans and one Democrat, Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb) have repeatedly voted against the "extenders" bills that added to the deficit, as this unemployment benefits extension bill does. Only Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) has publicly stated she will vote "yes" for a standalone unemployment extension bill. But, with the passing of Senator Robert Byrd (D-W-Virginia), the "yays" will still need two Republican votes to reach the 60 necessary to pass the bill.
As this still appears highly unlikely, sending up yet another unemployment benefits extension bill with little chance of passing seems to me a hollow, if not manipulative, gesture by the House, using the desperation and anticipation of the unemployed to generate more enmity toward the Republicans while garnering votes for the Democrats.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal) indicated in recent days a new willingness to possibly entertain offsets for the cost of unemployment benefits under current economic and deficit conditions. Hopefully, H.R. 5618 will pass the House and then garner the 60 votes needed in the Senate, as we, the unemployed, need our benefits restored very badly.
But if that doesn't happen, I would hope that Speaker Pelosi will finally instruct the House to produce a bill trimming a little government waste that will pay for unemployment benefits extensions so the bill can finally pass both houses and get UI benefits back to the jobless who are running out of time.
Still, while the vote on the House bill today is another welcome opportunity for unemployment benefits to be restored, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) is also working on a standalone unemployment benefits bill which should extend UI benefits through November 2010. This bill may also be voted on today in the Senate, giving us a second possible shot at having our benefits restored. (Read about that here.)
A third bill, Senator Debbie Stabenow's (D-Michigan) standalone unemployment benefits extension bill, is also waiting in the wings. This is no time to give up hope. Congress has not given up. Neither should we.
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Published by S Gardner
S. Gardner is a freelance writer and researcher. She has experience as a weight loss and health counselor, a real estate agent, a small business owner and a high school history and civics teacher. She is a... View profile
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38 Comments
Post a Commentthey are going to have a great christmas while the people of america struggle in this time of struggle to wait for the ui bill to pass our gov needs to get off their chairs and stand up for the american people pass the ui bill already whats the hold up our gov wants the money all to themself stop the greedyness help ur american people and stop worrieing bout every 1 else and fix our country before u fix other countries what would our gov do if all americans didnt vote for any 1 were in a recession that our gov caused fix the problem that our gov has created.
the government dont want to help the citizens of the usa but would rather help other countries put the money back in our pockets not other countries why did we vote obama for a change so wit that help the millions who need the unemployement the worst that our gov could hold out on the ui bill alot of kids are going to be depressed this holiday all americans thank our government vote obama for a change thank u mr president y should any americans vote for any of our gov. dont vote well se the change
The HR4213-SA4425 bill before Congress tomorrow, July 20, does NOT extend the $25/week FAC payment for new claimants. The biggest problem with this omission is that MILLIONS of Americans who have been able to find only part-time work will lose the $25/wk. The bill does include a "fix" for some part-time workers--but only for those whose weekly benefit amounts go down by $100 or 25%. The rest of us--MILLIONS OF US--are forced to open "new claims," and as a result not only does our weekly benefit amount go down (for example by $93/wk.) but we also LOSE the $25 FAC payment!! We accepted jobs, any jobs we could find, and now we are being punished by losing the $25 FAC--while those who did not work at all will continue to get the $25 FAC!! This is so unfair!!
The HR4213-SA4425 bill before Congress tomorrow, June 20, does NOT extend the $25/week FAC payment for new claimants. The biggest problem with this omission is that MILLIONS of Americans who have been able to find only part-time work will lose the $25/wk. The bill does include a "fix" for some part-time workers--but only for those whose weekly benefit amounts go down by $100 or 25%. The rest of us--MILLIONS OF US--are forced to open "new claims," and as a result not only does our weekly benefit amount go down (for example by $93/wk.) but we also LOSE the $25 FAC payment!! We accepted jobs, any jobs we could find, and now we are being punished by losing the $25 FAC--while those who did not work at all will continue to get the $25 FAC!! This is so unfair!!
the american people are not looking for handouts from the goverment. we are looking for some help to keep going on till the economy gets stronger and we can get a job. i have raised 4 children alone,and always worked without anyhelp.sonow i ask the congressfor this extension for all who need it now. i have work since i have been i8 and iam prode of it i am an american and i am proude of it we all neeed this extension,so president obama, get tough with congress and let them know we dont want to be homeless. people wih children are struggling need your support we voted for you president obama and we know you will stand by us,,,in time of all americans needs ......god bless you and america....
Oh yes, I've also decided to hitchhike to Mexico and become a citizen there. Then, like millions I'll cross the border and will finally have free health care, housing, food and clothes on my back. Our Government to go to HELL!
I'm one of the thousands that has been applying for 10-15 jobs weekly. In the past year I have had two interviews. Two. My resume and cover letters are professional, etc.... I went to school for Medical Coding and Billing through a federal grant while on Unemployment. That was one month ago, and yes, I am still without a job. Hospitals want people with 3-4 years of experience. So I applied for a housekeeping job - I'll even clean toilets. But still no job. Congress did not pass the bill to extend benefits. Thanks President Obama for granting amnesty to illegals, but not taking care of us that were born in the USA! It's mandatory in MA to have health insurance. How am I supposed to do that with NO INCOME? I've been trying for over a year to get a job. Do something about all of our jobs going overseas! Help out the US citizens! Now what do I do? Go on WELFARE? I want to work - give me a job!
This is it, I've had enough. I'm homeless VET just got an apt signed a lease and got layed off. Now back on the street. DON"T THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE ANY MORE I MIGHT NOT SURVIVE ANY MORE THANK TOU's...vote all incumbants out this year. Maybe congress will understand if we fire some of their colleagues.
No food no money no home looks like people are going to start robbing people and breaking into homes just to get a sandwich to feed there kids. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! NOT................
Well I called Senator Voinovich office just the other day and was told by the lady that answered the phone that the two parties could not come to an agreement. My response to that is their is only one party that this effects and that is the citizens of the United States. Don't give me this party crap get the thing passed. If their is a natural disaster in another country in a minute from now we send aid to them but can't send our own people aid you have got to be kidding me. Mr. President all paychecks should be stoped for all the congressmen and senators and all thier staff untill this gets passed I bet it would get passed in a minute.