Reader, Yvonne, sent me the following update: According to CNN Money:
The unemployed would have three more months to file for extended jobless benefits under a bill introduced in the House Wednesday.
The legislation would extend the deadline to file for federal unemployment benefits to Feb. 28, sparing 4 million people from falling off the rolls. The deadline is now Nov. 30.
It appears that the House is willing to shorten the extension to three months and spend $12.5 billion doing so. The Senate should be able to find $12.5 billion by cutting the budget in other areas. As an example, for the small business bill they passed in September, they cut future food stamp benefits by $14.1 billion. This bill doesn't include 99ers - those who have exhausted benefits. The Senate is likely to propose their own unemployment legislation, but this is a start.
Will tax cuts for the most wealthy allow Congress to help the unemployed?
Unemployed who are still eligible for additional Tiers of benefits will not be able to move to their next Tier after November 30 unless Congress passes an extension before that date. According to Arthur Delaney’s latest effort at Huff Post, right now it looks as though Congress will not address those benefits extensions this week:
Senate Democrats have not figured out a way to get around Republican opposition to reauthorizing extended unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless.
"We are still in the process of trying to establish the schedule of the lame duck session, in terms of the remaining days of the session, so no specifics, but think we all understand that this is something that is going to have to be done," said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday.
While Sen. Reed may feel something is going to have to be done, the Republicans may have other ideas. They are unlikely to pass any further unemployment benefit extensions unless there are corresponding budget cuts in other areas.
A Reuters report shows that republicans are willing to bust the budget for wealthy earner tax cuts, but with that budget busting action, they would consider unemployment extensions:
A deal on a temporary extension of the Bush-era tax rates could also be linked to renewal of unemployment benefits for two million Americans about to lose them, a senior Republican in the House of Representatives said.
Representative Pete Sessions, a Republican in leadership, said he could back extending jobless benefits, favored by Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in exchange for an extension of all Bush-era tax cuts, including for the wealthiest groups.
The Senate may also be in a compromising mood:
A top Democrat also suggested a deal on taxes and unemployment benefits could be linked.
"It really strikes me as hard to explain why we would give charity to the richest people in America with additional tax cuts of $100,000 a year and deny the basic necessities of life to people who are out of work through no fault of their own," said Richard Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate.
While that is good news for the four million unemployed that would otherwise exhaust benefits, it’s no consolation to the up to five million 99ers - unemployment benefit exhaustees.
I have heard from a number of readers who have called Sen. Stabenow’s office about the status of The Americans Want to Work Act, which would extend unemployment benefits 20 weeks in states with unemployment rates of 7.5% or greater.
Calls to Sen. Stabenow’s press office have not been answered. According to one Rochester Unemployment Examiner reader, Sen. Stabenow’s staff said the Senator is “working around the clock” on S.3706, but there is no timetable for legislative action. Another reader and 99er, Rhonda Taylor, said a staff member of a senator familiar with unemployment legislation offered, “It’s not looking good at this point.”
Cindy Paoletti a 99er from Syracuse, NY, called both Sen. Stabenow and Sen. Harry Reid’s office about 99er legislation. According to Ms. Paoletti, “Stabenows office said that it’s still in the Finance Committee and she has no idea when or if it will be brought to the floor.” When the staffer was asked, “Why is everyone that calls getting a different story?” the staffer apologized and stated that Stabenow stands behind the bill and she knows there are people suffering that need help. ‘There are millions of people who need help,” said Ms. Paoletti.
When Ms. Poaletti contacted Sen. Reid’s office about S.3706 the staffer said the bill was still in the Finance Committee and it was not on the Senate schedule. Ms. Paoletti told the staffer” Reid could pull the bill out of Finance at any time.” The staffer said he would relay the message to Sen. Reid. At the height of her frustration, Ms. Paoletti told the staffer “99ers are the ones that saved Reid’s job from Sharon Angle”. After the staffer didn't reply, she hung up the phone.
Frustration runs deep for those who have exhausted benefits and remain jobless. The most conservative estimates show only one online job ad for every 5 unemployed, but when you consider the underemployed who are seeking full-time work, that ratio is 1 for 8. Over 90,000 unemployed exhaust benefits each week and that number will only increase as 2011 approaches.
Congress remains a den of despair for the long-term unemployed who want to work, but who need to survive financially until jobs are more plentiful. Congressional Republicans are concerned about wealthy tax cuts and helping the unemployed is a side bet to get that done. Democrats seem unable to muster the courage to force through an unemployment benefits extension that doesn’t include tax cuts for the wealthy, or cuts in future food stamp benefits. In any case the wealthy will win a substantial reward that brightens their usual festive holiday, but unless both parties act responsibly, millions of benefit exhaustees and their families will suffer mightily this holiday season and into 2011.
Comments
instead of constantly whining about how this is the Republicans fault why dont you mention that if the Democrats would tap into the $300B slush fund/TARP remnant fund to pay for it the Republicans would gladly pass it. But the White House and Democrats who have had a majority the last two years would rather keep the money in their slush fund then give it out to the unemployed.
You may want to reread the article, since it is almost entirely a complaint against Democrats for not acting on legislation. The other fact remains that the Republicans may be willing to pass unemployment legislation for tax cuts for the wealthy. I'm not sure where your argument is. Maybe next year the Republican House will use all that so called extra stimulus on unemployment benefits or a jobs program for long-term unemployed. That would be a switch.
This argument is pure political theater on the part of Republicans. The idea that there is a "slush fund" sitting around somewhere is baloney. You're talking about funds which either can't be used (TARP), or "stimulus" funds which are ALREADY COMMITTED to infrastructure projects, etc (which is a fundamental underpinning of Dem plans for job-creation).
The Republicans are messing with your mind. They are offering a "steal-from-Peter-to-pay-Paul" solution: undermine longer-term job creation and investment in infrastructure (a critical part of any economic recovery plan), in order to have immediate funds for the unemployed. Dems won't do it, and for good reason- Repubs know this, and so throw it out to muddy the waters.
I am so disgusted with all of them, none of them I call or email get back to me. Not one of them even acknowledged my faxes " oh we get so many " BS..... that makes me madder.
It's all a game up there, well I say Time for a Revolution........
Looks like we are back to the time where we die for what is right?
MILLIONS More Homeless On The Way!
TAX CUTS for the RICH and BOX CARS for all out of UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS!
SHOULD 5 million 99ers and ALL TIERS BE Ready to HOBO UP?
YOU BETCHA!
Ask any Hobo about economics and they say a good can opener and a water proof flint box is essential. So look to the TEA PARTY GOP HOUSE to provide these items instead of Tier 5 or ANY TIER!
Will the 99ers in 2011, who make up the next generation pool of 5 million possible HOBOs find their experiences to be different than Hobos from the 1930's? Yes, first of all, is the fact there are many high tech improvements in the rail infrastructure.The railroads of today are faster and computerized allowing freight transfer switch backs of individual cars in the yards. This makes predicting a certain freight car's destinations along with an arrival time a hit and miss situation. Also the cell phone is the HOBO break through Survival Connection Tool on the HOBO UP RAIL HIGHWAY. By sharing information on job tiprelocations, weather updates, possible tent cities, soup kitchens, and new gear handouts, words of wisdom will spread like the old 49er Gold Rush. Hobo jungles (camp sites) will be known by all 200 miles before entering town. Finally lost reunions with cross country relatives and friends will take place.
Like "Jason, your Uncle Ned is in town and needs to be picked up in the rail yard for dinner". "Do you remember him"?
Artist 99er Country Carl - hopefully you too won't have to HOBO UP!
99er New Depression Blues Video - youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM6CuCjUT...
Ms. Paoletti told the staffer “99ers are the ones that saved Reid’s job from Sharon Angle”. The staffer didn't reply and she hung up on him.
This is very disturbing!
If they are trying to create the HOBO transients, they will be biting off more than they can chew. Guaranteed as many of these HOBOs are high tech, professionals and I just bet many ideas will be borne out of gathering of the minds. Maybe not things either party will enjoy!
Yet we cannot create a country of migrant workers or gypsies! This will destableize this country in a hurry, mush moreso than keeping us separated, like in our own homes with our own families. If I am forced to the HOBO movement, I will not be a happy camper and I wil have nothing left to lose or really care about other than perhaps raising hell and seeing just how much hell I can raise. Whats the penalty_ three squares a day and a warm bed?
Heck that just might be a reward!
Elections are over, Pelosi said they would take up looking into 99ers in November. Well, were more than halfway through now and the pubs will only meet with the prez on their terms cause they want him to know who is calling the shots! They want to make him look like their puppet and blame him for the revolt their creating! They suck! I really hope all the people they are laughing at stick it to them big time, there seems to be alot of ignorance out there, but were not all that stupid, they better watch their backs!!!!!!
Sorry about the mad finger spelling! I should be more careful.
Thanks again for the story.
I'm a lifelong Republican and while I understand that job creation is incredibly important, I know that unemployment benefits are even more so at this moment in time. I'm one of those who will drop off at the end of this month and that thought terrifies me! I've been trying for a year and a half to get a job and haven't been successful. I just interviewed for a job paying just above minimum wage in my small town (half what I was making in the past) and didn't get it I think because of the fact that I've made so much more in the past. I suppose they thought that I would be trying to find a better job down the road but heck no! I would've taken it happily and I would have done a great job for them!
I am truly praying that Congress, Dems and the GOP alike, pulls its head out of its butt and does the right thing for those of us who are truly hurting because of this rotten economy. I didn't just lose my job, my husband lost his small business. We're 2 of the hardest workers you'll find and we did our best to stay afloat but we're sinking.
And here's another thing. Doesn't Congress realize that no one hires at the end of the year? I've worked for large corporations in the past and almost all put on a hiring freeze until the new year arrives because that's when they have money in their budgets for new hires. I've seen people pull double-duty countless times in the 4th quarter of a budget year so that the work gets done because open positions can't be filled until the new budget hits. This is a very normal practice so why can't Congress understand it?
They still have their heads up their BUTTS!!!
Good article Michael. I am wondering how long the Senate and Congress in general will ignore the 99ers and their growing ranks. It seems this country is on a collision course that is going to end up in a huge crash if something is not done now. How they can simply ignore this problem is beyond me. The economists have wieghed in and so has the President. I don't think I have ever seen such a do nothing, get nothing important done, Congress since I started voting.
Real Americans, built this country, paid taxes, fought & died for it, and were proud citizens. Now, these same Americans, are invisible to elected officials. Listed as those who might live to collect Social Security. A blacklist. Raise the age, to where some will never see. Power and greed, have corrupted our leadership. Thats all folks. God bless.
I talked to a chipper young chickie in Senator Durbin's DC office this afternoon - after trying for hours to get through since the phone lines were so jammed! She wouldn't shut her mouth long enough to listen to what I was saying, much less practicing active listening to my questions and all she kept saying was that Senator Durbin knows our situation is dire, is a great supporter of our cause, is a co-sponsor of S3706 - but that he does not sit on the Finance Committee so maybe I should call them about it. When I started asking if their plan was for all the long-term unemployed to commit suicide so they wouldn't have to deal with us anymore, she hung up on me.
So much for my Senator's support! Oh, and President Obama is also very aware of our situation but cannot do anything. So here we sit with the GOP telling us to drop dead, and the Dems are basically saying the same thing since they refuse to lift a finger to help in any way.
time to get out there and draw blood ,these m************ do not care for the middle class and its very sad to see, we need to rise up now, not even the president will say 1 single word about these people losing everything,shame on our country officals .they can all kiss my *** and go to hell
Actually I wanted to see these officials in hell! Maybe someone will kill all these corrupt politicians one day and that's just a drop in the bad blood of America.
Governor Granholm was on CNBC this morning talking about the decline in the unemployment rate in Michigan for the last couple/few months! Our numbers are being distorted because of the people that have exhausted their benefits and have given up! Someone, somewhere has to admit to that, instead of the spin that everything rosy and better! I'm sending this same message to the whitehouse, this is flippin ridiculous!
Colorado Democrat, Michael Bennet has joined the ranks of the Republicans when, on Sunday, he stated that UI.I. extenions must be paid for the that a 1-yr extions fo the Bush tax custs for veryone, including the wealthy - does not have to be paid for.
Denver Unemployment Examiner
Hes not even bluedog, just put an R next to his name!!!
The Secretary of Labor was on CNBC as well stating the need to extend unemployment benefits or all these people will be suffering and that unemployment was extended under Reagan until the rate was down to 7.2%, but she not once mentioned the ones that have already been suffering, US! Not 1 mention about all those who lost their insurance benefits, so I guess they assume its our fault for getting laid-off first! She even said the same thing Governor Granholm did that the rate is coming down because its getting better, these f-ers don't have a clue, they suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unemployment benefits extensions on House schedule today
November 18th, 2010 10:28 am ET. Nothing for 99ers,they suck and they inly offer a 3 month extension of the current Tiers, they suck!!!!
Unemployment benefits extension introduced in House
By Tami Luhby, senior writerNovember 18, 2010: 11:18 AM ET
Sorry but this is not good news. Exhaustees are not getting help. If you are hoping things will work out, I suggest you stop deluding yourself. Since this summer the writing has been on the wall, or even in statements from Democrats that 99 weeks is sufficient. There are too many Blue Dogs willing to give billionaires 100,000 a year but give the unemployed nothing. Why not just find the cuts to pay for these extensions instead of capitulating on these tax cuts? Jesus, there are other ways to spend this political capital like removing the limit on SS taxes to 106k a year, solves the problem for the system long term. Then you can focus on other more important issues like creating jobs, fixing medicare/healthcare. Why do Democrats have such horrible leaders? Harry Reid is the absolute worst choice the Dems could have made. They needed outstanding leadership in these times and they got someone too soft spoken to be heard.
You don't even have to go into what the Republicans will do for you. You already know the answer is nothing.
This is awful, I am suggesting that everyone threaten or actually cause mayhem starting early black friday to start a coordinated effort on civil disobedience!!!!!!
If we want to get their attention, let's not stop calling, faxing, emailing our reps and Majority and Minority leaders.
Attn: Readers
We have put up a subpage on the Organized Resistance page on our website http://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com for registering 99ers by state. We need to get 99ers to come to the site and leave a short comment with their name and state on the Organized Resistance page so that we can add them to the list. Please copy and post this to every site you visit. If you can find time to let as many people know as possible I think we would have a good start organizing.
Breaking News - Hooray!!!! No Tier 5 extension. Get back to work lazy fools. Unemployment is for the weak.
I wonder if this is how people felt in Germany when Hitler was taking over. There is such a lack of decency that it is shocking. I for one am very concerned and afraid for the future of this country. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would vote for a Republican unless, of course, he or she is a multi-millionaire without a conscious. It seems there are plenty of them around. I wonder what they plan to do once millions of unemployed are homeless, penniless, and forced to beg in the street. Maybe they will set up forced labor camps, run by multi-nationals corporations of course.
Or perhaps they are planning to cook us and eat us!
So much of this just goes right over my head. I understand everyone can read something and come away with a completely different take on it, so I read the article several times looking for information relevant to me. What I want to know is if North Dakota, one of the states with the lowest unemployment rates will part of this extension if it gets passed? I have health issues and am limited to jobs selection. But more importantly I need time to pack my apartment up and find a place to live and people to help me move. I have no savings left and no one to help me. I just want to know if my state will be included, because if it's not, I will just start packing now.
Some ignorant person is posting using my name again. You are so pathetic.
I do not think stopping the calls to congress is a good idea. Many who are against us would like to see us become so discouraged that we stop fighting and fade away. That is not going to happen, this fight is too important to give up on.
Well considering they have had the tax cuts for 10 years and there are now 25 million Americans that can not find full time jobs it is doubtful that they would use this tax cut to create jobs. Let them expire. .
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