As reported in the Boston Globe today, 9,200 Massachusetts residents have lost their federal unemployment benefits as of Monday March 5, because the Senate did not pass an extension before their spring break.
The House and Senate will be back to business on April 12.
According to The Hill, over 200,000 unemployed nationwide lost their federal unemployment benefits.
From The Hill
"Under the jobless benefits program that ends Monday, the unemployed are eligible for up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. The program, aimed at helping the jobless stay afloat when new jobs aren't readily available, gives an unemployed worker more than the 26 weeks of unemployment insurance normally available. But with the program ending, those out of work for as few as six months will see an interruption in their benefit checks. "
From the New York Times:
"one in 50 of the 11 million people now receiving unemployment checks would be affected in the first week of the benefits expiration, according to the National Employment Law Project. Almost 1 million people would see their benefits exhausted by the end of April."
While Democrats are pushing for the bill, the Republicans are concerned about how the program will be paid for.
With the Democrats having a 59 vote majority, they need a moderate Republican to swing their way to avoid a filibuster.
Regarding the reinstatement of benefits for unemployed who have lost their benefits due to working part-time, a Kerry aide said that this clause may be also be inserted into the extension of benefits debate.
Shaw's Strike Update
As of April 1st Shaw's has taken away striking worker's health benefits at their Methuen distribution unit, Business Wire reports that strikers and their supporters will now picket Boston area Shaw's stores. The first protest took place Saturday, April 3rd.
The Boston Globe also reports that doctors, nurses and other health care advocates will rally today at the headquarters of SEUI Local 1199 in Dorchester. That is the location of the local health care workers union.
Shaw's now plans to hire permanent workers to replace the strikers.
Comments
Scott Brown, help the unemployed! Brown is a craven creep if he filibusters jobless benefits.
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