Senate Democrats from the 23 states which would not get a full 13 weeks of additional federal unemployment benefits under the Reid/Baucus proposal for additional benefits in states with unemployment levels exceeding 8.5 percent succeeded in blocking adoption of the bill by unanimous consent last week. The proposal would have given the states below 8.5% unemployment only four weeks of additional benefits, and Senators from those states believe the unemployed in their localities are just as needy as the unemployed people in states with a higher rate of joblessness.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire wants to use cash from TARP appropriations to pay an additional 17 weeks of benefits in all 50 states. Whether such a huge outlay can pass both houses in time to help anyone remains to be seen.
Comments
Come on people make some sense pass and give the money to the states 8.5 and up and work on getting the rest of the states a extension. Why hold up the ones who need it the most. COMMON F-ing sense.
You've got to be kidding! I am 1 step from being out on the streets because of this political crap!!!
If this ever passes,i ran out sept. 19 will i quilify for the extension
i cant believe this bull sh t im broke while they argue pass the extension NOW
A congressional snag? You can't be serious! My benefits expired on September 19th. I have 2 weeks left to pay my overdue bills. PLEASE HELP!
i am a lifelong democrat and can't believe this is happening in the here & now. the Republicans may be the "do nothing" party, but the Democrats are the "can't do anything" party. there's got to be an "i'll do something for the people" party somewhere.
my family will be homeless soon if i dont get money some how.guess what im done waiting for them.i cant wait if i do i will have to get rid of my dogs and my cat.you tell me how you explain to a 15 year old we dont have a home and we had to get rid of the animals that you grew up with.i am going to get money some how.the people that make the laws put us here and now they are going to put us in a worse place unless we go out and get money any way we can.
The way the Senate is handling the unemployment problem clearly reflects their lack of common sense in resolving problems of the American people. They obviously have no idea what it means to have 0 income yet monthly debt. Maybe it would be a good experience for them to go without their monthly automatic bank deposit for a few months...then see how quickly they would resolve the problem! How much debating do you think they would do?
Shawn... stop whining!! If you live in a household where no one is working, the unemployment rate is 100%... regardless of what part of the country you live in. The unemployed people of North Dakota need this extension as badly as those of Michigan. We are all in this together so WAKE UP and stop being so #@#$%*!!! selfish. Many people's benefits ran out months ago and some don't even qualify in spite of the economy. This bill is being held up because it is not fair and some members of the Senate found the stones to stand up and do the right thing. It would do you well to be mindful of the fact that the greed you're exhibiting is exactly what spawned this economic mess in the first place! Now there's some common sense for you!
Jeff M HAS IT RIGHT. i'M IN mn AND we're at 8.2% as a stat. That means nothing to me. I need an extension as much as u chronically unemployed in michigan and my fellow neighbors in Wisconsin. So it's easy for you people to say, we are haulting your benefits, that is just greed talking. Thank god, some senators did have the "stones" to say....wait a minute, this is only helping the states of the senators that drew it up, because they knew they would have the majority with over 50% of the states included. That to me was just apathy and lazy legislation, and that is what's holding up your benefits guy. Because they now are getting it right, and fixing what was lazy if not greedy legislation. Until we include all states, as the unemployed are all in this together, it's not going to pass. So I suggest you people that have been accepted to get your 13week extension,stop relaxing and call your senators and let them know that you support including all states. We are not numbers. We are unempl
I've been out since sept 4th in california where our unemployment is terrible as well.. if not for the kindness of friends i would be living in my car right now. The senate has a point i would like for everyone to get benefits but what about the people that are already broke and about a week from the street. They need to get off their arses and pass this or they won't have a job come 2010. On a side note, why the push for healthcare reform if all of us have no money for food ????????
additionally, once they pass it, it will take about 3 weeks or more to get money in our hands. This delay is inexcusable. In Ca they take 3 weeks just to program the outdated computers. So i'll be lucky to get some money by thanks giving.
I was disappointed when I first heard that the bill was stalled, but after reading the reason why the bill was stalled, how could I be upset. My fellow Americans are in the same boat as me, and they deserve the unemployment benefits just like the rest of us. @ Paul, I do not understand our state of California, it takes entirely too long for them to update the computer system. We will be lucky to get a check by Christmas!
This is nuts...pass the damn bill...hell that would at least get some money moving...in the mean time they can consider additional extensions. Congress needs a boot in their asses!
The Senate should do the right thing and pass the extension for all 50 states. It is funny how people that have jobs have such good ideas to solve the unemployment crisis. They don't have too worry at nights how they are going to shelter or put food on the table for their family.
So all I am Asking please pass the extension for the 50 STATES. 50
I realize it might sound crazy but; do you ever wonder if this is just a charade? The bill will get passed (yes and it sucks that we have to hang in the balance by a thread) and perhaps this is just to show any of us that are hanging on the edge: 1. Who is in control, and 2. To keep us in our places? Just a thought...
Shawn...dead on right!
lets get this passed. we are all in this together.nobody wants to be unemployed. with out some kind of income we are all facing homelessness, starvation, and no electricity. if it was just my husband & I we would not worry as much but we have two children. they cant go without a home or food. lets get going with this extension so our children dont have to worry, their only concern should be education.
These Senators need to stop the gamesmanship and sign the bill for ALL 50 States regardless of the umemployment rate in any individual state, and do it now. It is interesting that the bar is always raised on the cutoff rate of unemployment extensions every time they near a vote. Again, just pass if for the country and move on. In fact they shoulg just expand the extension to 30 weeks now and avoid the hassles next quarter. After all, the $ just goes for baseline survival while we actively look for work.
Paul
Just be paticent yes it sucks espically when u can't find anything trust me I would take about any job also to those critizing saying we dont wanna work well I make about $300 per week on unemployment wow $15000 per year yes thats alot so this will happen why it doesnt move faster along to get those 17 weeks going I ve got no clue prob because it doesnt effect the ones voting on this
having health care issues is serious business for us all,but lets face it..............all the floor time being used for health care reform now could wait just one day to energize a proper vote to move the unemployed persons faith in the system !
yes/no
thanks
I've been unemployed since feb 2008! all has exhausted sept.7 2009. being over qualified was always mentioned,but in my heart I know its my age when compared in personnal interviews.
Patience is what it takes and practice on being thrifty it works for me.......take one moment go to walmart look for a service person in uniforn,and just say thank-you and god bless you for my freedom. It don't pay the bills,but believe me it makes you feel good inside.
go one afternoon help a neighbor especially a farmer for free see how fast the word travels and you land a few bucks.
think positive stay in good health.
pray for peace
thanks again
Pass the extension so that people can survive - what is the hold up - or are you waiting for someone to line your pockets with something.
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