Monday, President Obama addressed the nation about passing unemployment benefits, and urged Congress to pass the extension on Tuesday. In a brief speech from the White House garden, Obama said that the federal government has "a responsibility to offer emergency assistance to people who desperately need it" and an obligation to help families "make ends meet."
Obama mentioned three workers who stood next to him during his speech and spoke about the fact that they were laid off through no fault of their own, and have been looking diligently for work, and that their unemployment benefits are about to expire.
Obama asked Congress to pass a bill to extend the unemployment benefits deadline until the end of November 2010. $33 billion would be added to the deficit if the bill passes.
Saturday, Obama during his weekly radio and internet address he criticized Republicans for blocking the extension for unemployment benefits.
"Some Republican leaders actually treat this unemployment insurance as if it's a form of welfare," he said. "They say it discourages folks from looking for work. Well, I've met a lot of folks looking for work these past few years, and I can tell you, I haven't met any Americans who would rather have an unemployment check than a meaningful job that lets you provide for your family."
In Utah, unemployment benefits ran for a total of 26 weeks, but were extended in times of high unemployment or with special circumstances. As of December 2008, the maximum payout in Utah for unemployment benefits was $427 per week.
In February, when 1 million people were set to have their unemployment benefits expire, Congress voted no to extend the benefits. To read more about that story, click here.
The bill has been sitting since before Congress took the summer break, for more on that story, click here.
Congress initially voted no to extend this round of unemployment benefits, for more on that story, click here.
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Source: CNN
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