Things looked so promising Tuesday night when the Senate voted 87-13 to invoke cloture on HR 3548, the bill to extend unemployment benefits. However, negotiations fell apart and the bickering resumed over what Republican amendments would be considered for inclusion in the legislation. Even a statement released by the White House in support of extending the benefits wasn't enough to keep the bill moving toward a speedy vote on final passage.
The legislation would provide an additional 14 weeks of assistance to most states and an extra six weeks on top of that to those 27 states where the unemployment rate is 8.5% or higher. That means a lot to Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) who represents the Keystone State where the jobless rate hovers around 8.8%. Casey took to the Senate floor Wednesday to urge passage of the bill especially at a time "when 7000 Americans are losing their benefits everyday." Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) argued for Republicans saying that unspent stimulus money should fund the bill rather than what he called a tax on businesses.
Previously, Republicans were demanding an extension of the homebuyer's tax credit to be included in the measure. That credit is due to expire at the end of November. But Tuesday night, discussion on that issue ceased as Republicans and Democrats seemed to agree that both issues would be better off as stand alone bills. As happens often in Washington, D.C., Wednesday morning was the dawn of a new day and the fighting over the bill began again. Talk of slipping in the tax credit has resurfaced along with another GOP amendment concerning the controversial community group ACORN. Senate Democrats stress ACORN has no place in the jobless benefits bill.
And so, with the end of the year nigh, and over 1 million Americans poised to lose their unemployment benefits, the debate in Washington continues.
Comments
After watching the Senate on CSPAN2, I find myself in shock over the antics of many of the senators that have had the floor. The repulsive and overtly self-aggrandizing tactics, arrogance and inability to debate with decorum, especially those of Jon Kyl and Lamar Alexander, were unconscionable for those elected by the people to represent them in good faith.
Senator Kyl commentated that the unemployment benefit extension bill would be passed before it ran out. Is he oblivious that, for thousands of people, unemployment insurance benefits have already expired? His comments also inferred that if the Democratic Party had allowed amendments to be attached to HR3548, the bill would have been passed within 48 hours of presentation. He failed to mention that debating the attached amendments and the reconciliation to follow in congress would take weeks.
comment continued:
HR 3548 must be STAND ALONE bill, given the state of urgency. This is an emergency; millions of unemployed are becoming homeless and struggling for bare survival, not through fault of their own, but due to the economic meltdown that came on the heels of the housing bubble burst and the massive financial organization’s irresponsible action motivated by avarice with no concern of consequence.
I urge ever citizen to watch our Senators in action. Instead of being proud of our governmental processes, I was ashamed and embarrassed at the waste of time, energy and hubris. Something is terribly wrong, and it has everything to do with the corruption of common ethics, decency and a lack of willingness to serve the people they represent. Instead, their hubris and erroneous delusion of self-importance is obvious, as is the fact that they have forgotten who put them in their position, and that they are servants of those who voted for them.
Are you kidding me more , Wednesday morning was the dawn of a new day and the fighting over the bill began again.
BURN IN HELL YOU SON OF BITCHES
These elitist, ignorant dinosaurs need to be removed from the senate. These politician are all pompous asses. This is really sad for the those in need and really embarrassing for this country. Shame on the republicans who are holding this up! What can they possibly be thinking? Oh, that's right they don't think!
Well since the unemployment extension has failed to pass again, I would like for the Senate members to my bills for me. I have tried to find jobs from McDonalds to Video Store, but guess what I am order qualified for theses jobs. So what am I suppose to do to provide for my children. Maybe if these selfish people should look at the people that they are hurting in the face then maybe things would be different. I have been without my unemployment for a month, so dear senator's maybe you should have to give up your pricey salaries for six months then maybe you would know how us million unemployed workers feel.
Does anyone know how much longer the Republicans can continue to stall on this issue? i thought after they voted for cloture they onlyt had 30 hours to debate this..is this true or can this continue for days or weeks?
I am sorry that I had mispelled some words in my first post. I am so damn mad that I was crying because I do not know how I am suppose to pay my rent, utilites, provide food for my family. I have a son who is severally handicapped how am I to take care of him and my other children?
Why do you senator's have to be such asses? Maybe I should run for the senate because I would do a hell of a better job that any of you.
I am appalled at the lack of concern for those who need this extension to survive. It sure did not take long (1 week) for the politicians to pass a law to give themselves a raise. Every day that goes by that this extension is not passed, thousands of people are going to loose their jobs. The extension of unemployment benefits keep the consumer buying goods and services. If the money is not being circulated, more people will become unemployed in the next few months. We are circling the drain at this point.
Can someone please tell me what this means how much longer to we have to wait
As a 60-year-old, unemployed for almost two years, let me just say one thing. I may appear "too old" to job interviewers; I may be broke and edging closer to losing my home with each of these "Senatorial" delays; but my mind still functions quite well, thank you very much. Believe me: I am keeping track of all of the "nays" and I have a very long memory. It will give me great pleasure when I pull the lever next election day. Even if I may still be jobless and perhaps homeless.
Jason and Steve, go to: washingtonindependent.com/65488/reid-threatens-midnight-vote-on-unemployment-insurance-benefit
It seems like a long time but is short considering any attached bills would have created weeks of debate in senate before going back to congress (more time and debates) prior to President Obama signing off.
Although cloture was invoked the Senate does have an additional 30 hours of debate on the matter according to the rule. The vote on cloture was last night around 7pm. Time is winding down. Usually when cloture is approved the bill moves through fairly quickly. Not in this case unfortunately and even Sen. Shaheen of New Hampshire was livid late this afternoon that this bill was still unresolved.
THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. IM NEVER VOTING FOR ANOTHER REBULICAN.
Monique,
Im a republican, mostly because im a social conservative but there handling of this issue and others, not to mention how clearly obvious it is that they dont care about the regular people and only care for their rich friends will have me rethinking a lot of things. Im switching to independant.
They're stalling hoping H1N1 takes most of us out....that way they can stop the unemployment benefits and cut down on healthcare cost!!!!
I am surprised citizens are not more outraged. The senate should need police escort from protesting taxpayers but no, we are watching at home from our couch. I say today, if we marched on Washington, it would end. Say when and sign me up, I will march and protest; I'm not working anyway.
Well I am also 60, female and unemployed for almost 2 years. Michigan and its citizens are really hurting and we are lucky to OUR senators, Stabenow and Levin, doing all they can to save the day for us. And doing it in a civil and mature manner unlike many of the yahoos we have seen on the television.
Deborah, I concur with your statement: something IS terribly wrong. Watching CSPAN is like watching an advertisement for term limits. It's not enough to try to vote these people out of office. The amount of power they wield, with NO accountability to the electorate, can only be checked by limiting the time that each may serve.
TARP was passed by both houses of Congress within DAYS. Isn't that enough evidence of who these people truly represent? We are witnessing the undoing of America... our values, our economy, our future.
It is time for these senators to find themselves in the unemployment line. I hope no one turns to lynching, that has to be a last resort.
I'm afraid the damage is already done. From what I understand, even when the Bill (or if) gets passed, it won't be retroactive for people who have gone for weeks without income. People who are behind on their mortgage, car payments, and other debts will not be able to recover.
Fortunately for me, I was able to seek shelter with my elderly mom. Many others aren't so lucky. The big slap in the face is when they see how much this will destroy the economy. Foreclosures, car repos, bankruptcies will soar. Maybe then the Senators who are holding this up will realize what a mistake they made.
At least they will know they went down in history as the one who ruined America.
I am surprised citizens are not more outraged. The senate should need police escort from protesting taxpayers but no, we are watching at home from our couch. I say today, if we marched on Washington, it would end. Say when and sign me up, I will march and protest; I'm not working anyway.
I am outraged. I can not believe Senators in their own states are denying their own people.....I have had enough...
Some people in this country are cold and hungry right now....and those people can not afford 30 additional hours.
Lets face it if you have to pay rent it's due in 5 days...That is pretty scary for someone that has sold everything. Pulled every resource they had...Just to stay alive without becoming homeless. This is creating a major disaster in our nation....RIGHT NOW.....
That's the problem nobody is doing anything, that's why they can do this and not face any consiquences.
It is time for these senators to find themselves in the unemployment line. I hope no one turns to lynching, that has to be a last resort.
most of our jobs have been sent oversees so the big corporations can make huge profits and pay their CEO's millions in 1 month compared to what all the employees make in a whole year added up. It's like the CEO's are winning the lottery every month without even playing. The Republicans would rather spend 30 billion dollars a month of borrowed money on the war they started 8 years ago killing mostly innocent people in Iraq & Afganstan than temporary help the unemployed. And still the war is not over yet. And then lets not forget all the money they are sending to Pakistan who actually created the Taliban so they can milk us for ever & when this country goes broke then the pakistanis will hand the nuclear weapons to the taliban who are they brothers and cousins so they can hold everyone hostage. I just can't understand how stupid these people are.
Watching the pigs on Cspan2 today was a real revelation. The extension isn't a partisan problem, Republicans and Democrats alike are affected. But the Dems were the only ones addressing the actual need to pass these benefits immediately. This has been done routinely in the past, and done by both Bush's admins even. Scum hypocrite McConnell was smirking when he said his crap holding it up for weeks, then Kyl and Alexander had their vaudeville act about ACORN or something. I liked that mental midget Alexander misrepresenting de Tocqueville. Remember when he went around with that flannel shirt pretending to be for the workingman and got 0.00 percent of even Republican presidential primary votes. What a fraud. This total pig Thune says the unemployed bill should be held up so he can attach a 4-paragraph amendment calling for $700 billion in TARP funds go to pay down the deficit. Yeah thanks. Just like slavery was in the Constitution, looks like the Senate was a similar form of enslavemen
So why doesn't this make the nightly news! No mention on any network! Who controls the press?
We the people who have worked hard all our lives and now need a helping hand can't get a extension of Unemployment benefits BS! I would hope that some of use remember just which political party has held up the passing of this bill. Speak up people, call your local tv stations and ask them why is there no mention of this bill and why it's not being passed. THE WHEEL THAT SQUEAKS MOST GETS THE GREASE!!
Did you notice how fast congress moved when those idiots ran up there crying in their soup about AIG and all the rest? Those were in the hundreds of Billions of dollars. They got theirs, but we have to continue watching this drama every quarter or so.
SINCE CONGRESS SCREWED THIS COUNTRY UP TO BEGIN WITH, THEY SHOULD EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT ONE YEAR AT A TIME SO WE UNEMPLOYED DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS POLITICAL CIRCUS ALL THE TIME. REVENGE IN NOVEMBER 2010. THROW THEM ALL OUT THEN DUMP NOBAMA IN 2012. WASHINGTON NEEDS A SERIOUS LESSON IN HUMILITY
It is time for these senators to find themselves in the unemployment line. I hope no one turns to lynching, that has to be a last resort.
These sorry S.O.B.'s have never have the common people in mind, I say check the companies they protect and don't wish to tax because there is some kind of kick back in there some where, or maybe the Republicans own the company and don't wish to get taxed. They always protect the rich and it will never change. I truely hope the Republicans that are feeling the same pinch and suffering that everyone else is, will truely remeber this shyt come election time and put their asses in the unemployment line. They seem to think a lot of us are just sitting back and riding unemployment, I think as punishment we should vote to have their pay suspended for a year and freeze their bank accounts and let them live off the unemployment for their states and see if they can pay their bills on time and feed their families with that little bit of money each state gives us, and then they have the nerve to tax that, I say tax the companies, we get taxed. Yeah it's a little bit but it's better than zero
I am a single mother and have been without my benefits for over a month. I've applied for 10-15 jobs a day to no avail. I have exhausted my savings account and my sons college funds just to survive. My family has helped me all they could but they were hit by the recession also. If they don't pass this SOON, I will have no choice but in sending my son to live with his father because no child or anyone for that matter should not go without. This breaks my heart. I'm 28 and have never felt so close to being homeless in my life. I have written Governor & the Reps and NO ONE CARES.
I am a single mother and have been without my benefits for over a month. I've applied for 10-15 jobs a day to no avail. I have exhausted my savings account and my sons college funds just to survive. My family has helped me all they could but they were hit by the recession also. If they don't pass this SOON, I will have no choice but in sending my son to live with his father because no child or anyone for that matter should not go without. This breaks my heart. I'm 28 and have never felt so close to being homeless in my life. I have written Governor & the Reps and NO ONE CARES.
When these republicans take food out of my little kids mouths I take it personally and will do what ever to get these clowns out of office! Shame on them!
anybody who votes republican after this horrifying display is an idiot.
this really makes me feel ashamed that i actually voted repubican.
IOU has the right idea. We need new blood in Washington. NO ONE in congress, house, sen, or whoever should be reelected.
Jhambya
Well the republicans have done it again. Lost my job along with health benefits. Got part time work at 7.50 an hr. for 12 hrs week. Lost my home in June. Unemployment comp got me enough for a small apt.and my heart medicine. Benefits ended in Sept. Have enough for Oct. rent (i"m i month late)but not food or medication. Too late now for me if extension finally comes thru. With no meds, home, or hope at least I'll pass away knowing the Republicans are still fighting.
By the way ...I am 61 yrs old and finding work proved impossible along with humiliating. I'm kind of glad I wont be around to see where this once great country ends up.
Anyone who votes Republican has no common sense
It is time for these senators to find themselves in the unemployment line. I hope no one turns to lynching, that has to be a last resort.
when he had the majority he used it, he would have attached this bill to something else overnight when nobody was around and got it signed like he did everything else. Obama needs to step in here cause this entire situation is now totally out of hand and become a joke.
If you are rich vote for the Republicans but if you are middle class or less always vote for the Democrats. The Democrats have always been for the middle class. Republicans are always for Big Business and the rich.
The Democrats have the majority in both houses! So why can't they pass it?
If you are rich vote for the Republicans but if you are middle class or less always vote for the Democrats. The Democrats have always been for the middle class. Republicans are always for Big Business and the rich.
I have a feeling if this isn't brought to a vote by next Wednesday, Reid will shove it down the GOP's throats. He should anyway. Enough compromise. Get people relief NOW.
It is time for these senators to find themselves in the unemployment line. I hope no one turns to lynching, that has to be a last resort.
I'm astounded by the fact that there is no mention of the unemployment extension on any news channel MSNBC, CNN e, Fox etc. It just is not in the news at all,I think if it was it would really get people riled up on how much the government does not care. I have to do a web search on my computer to get any information on the extension. The government is spending billions of dollars on a war, spent 100 billion dollars on the space program to bomb the moon to see if there is any water on the moon. Where are the priorities here? What happen to the working class citizens who need help NOW. Time to clean up the white house and start all over again. Out with the old in with the new.
Why do news articles always state WILL LOSE their benefits by the end of the year. For 600,000, that time has already come and gone. That's how many unemployed are NOW without a lifeline, yet the Senate can't get this bill passed. This is outrageous. This is how our 'new America' treats its workers? No safety net during a recession amidst record joblessness? Why isn't this in the NEWS more? Shame on our Senators.
Passage continues to be delayed because games are been played by _both_ parties.
The Right is doing the same thing the Left did when the Left was the Minority -- drag your heels on everything to force the Majority to force a vote. The Minority then uses that to firm up, and add to, their base by painting the Majority as callous and dictatorial.
Keep in mind that the votes have always been there to pass HR-3548. If the Left really cared about us, they would have forced a cloture vote, and then a vote on the actual bill, weeks ago.
Instead, both parties are dragging this out while 4000 Americans exhaust their benefits every day.
Please Listen Because This Is Important!
Do not just call the right wingers. Call the Left as well and let them know we will fire them _both_ if they do not set a deadline _now_ for a vote on the bill itself, not just on Cloture.
It's time for out of touch politicians to personally experience unemployment. Vote special interest politicians from both parties OUT OF OFFICE. This election day send a strong message to politicians they are elected for the people, by the people, not BUY corporate greed. How in god's name can they consider a 3rd bailout of GMAC when the American workers who got laid off (because they were replaced by H-1B guest workers) can't afford lunch. It's okay to be a billionaire, but we little people who have been the backbone of this country - pay our dues, taxes, and work hard are screwed by people thinking that those with the most toys win. BS - my father did not fight in a foxhole or serve as a POW because of corporate greed. Bill Gates and Wall Street can take a hike down to the local unemployment office and see for themselves. I hope some criminal charges come out of this too.
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