Senate Republicans continue to prevent Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) from bringing House bill H.R. 3548 - which would give a federal extension to unemployment benefits - to the floor of the Senate for a debate and vote, as Reid tried to do late last week and this Tuesday. GOP members object to the funding mechanism for the bill, which would require an extension of the federal unemployment surtax for an additional 18 months. Instead they apparently want to use unspent stimulus funds.
While I am all for spending stimulus cash on people who need and deserve it (the unemployed) rather than those who do not (banks, auto companies, and other corporations), this is the sort of ideological delay that we simply cannot have right now. It's been three weeks since the House passed their version of the unemployment benefits extension bill. This delay, coupled with the likely amendments to the bill necessary to have it cover all 50 states, means that this legislation might not pass for weeks. It will be even longer for it to effectively reach people, I assume, given the red tape involved.
This is a clear, abject failure of government at a time of its citizens' highest need.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
email
print
Comments: 105
http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_SN_1699.html?page=13#usercomments
Here's a link to send your Representive and Senator(s) a letter encouraging the immediate passage of the unemployment extension: http://www.nelp.org/page/speakout/EndFedBenDelay
Here's another petition on this issue, and this site does not ask for a contribution: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pass-the-unemployment-bill
Thank you for signing “Stop the Senate from denying extended unemployment”
Both Democrate and Republic politically play a game to put the blame on others for not helping the poor; I'm double their sincere, we the people, let's make our case on the street.
Don't get too down. I know it's hard to stay positive but a lot of people are having a tough time right now. Hopefully Congress will get moving on this sooner rather than later.
We who are unemployed and have no other recources and are not in the position to get any other recources at this time need to sighn this petition.
Remember the names of those who are stalling the passing of the extension and when their time for re-election comes, as it surely will, vote them out! Yes, payback is a motherfXXXer
By the way, that’s $24 per family, per year… or to break the math down for the republicans that are blocking this bill… $2 per month… to help millions of (formerly) hard-working Americans survive until they can find work again.
If they make no progress on it today (and it's not even on the freakin schedule!), it won't be until next month!!!
IMPEACH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE SOBs!
Most hungry folks do not bite the hand which is feeding them.
I think this takes precedence over Health Care Reform as Health Care means nothing if you are homeless, without food, or money to pay for any form of Insurance.
I am also sick to death of the false reporting regarding the economy.
How can there be recover in a jobless job market? I truly hate my intelligence being insulted.
Unemployment is at 16% in Michigan, it is time to act NOW-No more hold-ups and no more stalling.
Get this passed now. Your actions will determine my Senate vote upcoming.
I called the Comments line at the White House as well as Kyl's office and gave them both an earful re the political games they're playing at the expense of millions of jobless people. Also, it seems that ABC News is running a feature on World News Tonight with Charles Gibson for the second week in a row.
For the poster who said he will have to pay 5 months back rent with 3 UI checks; at least your landlord has given you 5 months; my landlord is filing to take me to court no later than this week because I'm unable to pay October's rent, just as he did last year around this time when the Congress critters dragged their feet, causing a delay in benefits for me.
Let's just pray to God that the Senate finally moves on this today so that the bill can go to the House committee and get on the president's desk.
I am very concern in egards to our elected officials. It seems that they are not human. They have no grasp of family concept. I hope lord brings some sense to them and pass this bill by the end of this month. I pray for all of us.
Only when WE unite as a people and strike, boycott, and refuse to play the game will it end.
With the internet, we could begin change. If we all together protested the War, taxes, etc
But it would take ALL of us. As long as we are divided as we are, we are doomed.
Now if they pass the extension, government will not pay, employers are paying. Well I am puzzeled what is the hold for.!! Where are the changes we were promised a year ago./.?? What changed so far. More poverty for over 60 million Americans. If you lose your Job in Germany or France government will pay up to 60% of your last salary for 5 years. You guys think 13 or 17 weeks ia a big deal.!! Not at all in compare to other countries like Euro or even Canada.
There is no income requiremnts to qualify for this extension. All you need to qualify is that you run out of all available extensions. California has a 20 weeks extension designed for California only and it is different fron the Fed ones. Have you collected that one.?
I'm in CA and I know the whole extension thing is a bit confusing, so it breaks down like this. State unemployment is 26 weeks. Then another 26 weeks of state unemployment were added. After that, there's an additional 7 week federal extension, and after that is exhausted there is a final 20 week federal extension. Therefore, the total number of weeks is to collect benefits is 79. Confusing, it was for me, too!
I've been out of work for two years. Never in my life have I had a problem getting a job. Now I can't even get an interview. Our daughter and four children just moved in with us in September. She works for a doctor and makes $8 per hour. How can you support a family on that. Now, since my unemployment has run out, we are all struggling. I shouldn't complain as I've read so many other's stories that are worse then mine. I just am fed up with this government and their lack of concern for the suffering of the American people.
But like all of you I have utilities past due and worry about them being cut off.
www.ipetions.com/petitions/unrmployment/ andsign this petition. We need to try and do what we can to help get this bill passed as soon as possible.
Folks never forget days like this. We are desperate and practicaly lots of elected officials do not care. This is a very crucial time for millions of unemployed.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/unemployment?e
I was able to access the petition through the above link, so you might want to give another try.
Regards
Now we all going to suffer from it. He is not a true leader like Kennedy or Roosevelt.
To be a CEO of a country requires a massive resume of experiance, talent, education and people skils. By this time he should be involved with this specific issue. More than 2 million unempolyeed will be out in cold by the end of this year. That is tooooooo muuuccchhh. Any one with any further ideas for puching forward.
I do appriciate you kind comments about me and republicans. Thank you.
To tell you the truth I used to be republicans and last year I even did not vote. I hated everthing started with George and ended with Bush. We have been missing a true leader for decades. Every election gets worse. They all gives so much promises and play with words. But in oval office behind closed doors they do nothing but passing time and try to find strategies to make 3 million americans very very very rich and the rest just get
?#&%ed. Ending wars, creating 4 million jobs, health care for every one (Congress man pays only $ 45 per month for their health insurance), and so onnnn.!!
We are lucky if he comes even close to 10% of what truly he promised.
Statisticaly 70% of people who voted for OBAMA are not collage graduates. I am not sure that tells some thing or no. Only time will tell.
I think he works for Banks & fortune 500 companies. They all do. Overall politices is very very nasty. We all got cut up with it.
What is interesting Obama think he is a genius and always explains things like he is teaching a collage class. Pay attention to the phrases he always uses during speach.
does not have a education. We'll Bush is gone, and I am
very happy about that! And it would be geat if you would
go with him. Mean while, maybe you can learn how to spell
the word College, use a dictionary.
Have you travel any where out side US.? Perhaps not.
In our country President is nothing but puppet. He is not running the country. There are 50 billionars that run this country. ( Corporations are in charge not OBAMA). I never liked Bush or Chaney. They were the worst acting puppets. Corporations elect government not people.
Do you realy know why we always are in war some where in the world.?
Try to get some education. I can help you. Just ask. There is nothing wrong with that.
quickly as it is placed on his desk. Lets stay focus on who and where the
blame should be placed on. Which is Senator Jon Kyle (republican). The
Republicans are playing dirty politics with all our lives. They know and
understand that holding up the unemployment extension will only add
to hurting our economy. And it will prevent progress from being made.
It's sad to say the republicans are using, and hurting the American
people, by playing thier games for thier own selfish reasons. If they
do not give an extension, and continue to delay, they know, and realize
it would further hurt the American People, as well as our economy. So
by playing thier dirty politics, there would be NO.. progress made, and
you would blame Obama. By you blaming Obama, thier game plan is to
get another Republican back in office. And perhaps then.. they can just
finish us off. Lets place the blame on WHO, and WHERE the blame should
be placed on. Be careful, and please stay focus because in a minute the
republicans will have us blaming each other. The REPUBLICANS.. are
holding up the unemployment extension, NO ONE ELSE...
I don't think either of us are blaming or hating Obama for the unemployment extension, or lack thereof. At least, I know I'm not. It's just that, well, I wonder why he has not spoken up. In the past, he's been eaqer to address other issues, but not this one. Don't you find that odd? If anything, it's just something to ponder.
Please select word carefuly. No one said HATE.! All we are discussing is the lack of direct involvement of Obama in this issue. But also every US citizen has its own right of opinion.
I personnaly do not trust any politician. They are not here for you and I. They pack their pockets. How many congressman, senator, governers, general attornies you are aware that their childerns are serving in Iraq or Afkhanestan and......???
So, 94% population of USA is suffering for the other 6% to live well.
These are facts and no president is going to change it. Unless we turn the country upside down and we become socialist like France or England.
As far as selecting my words carefully, trust me, I did.
But one thing that you were right about. And that is
every Us citizen has its own right to thier opinion.
So like it, or not, thats why I gave mine!
Everyone give them a wakeup call for the unemployed who are now without benefits, and each week more join the list. Six million unemployed = Depression! Nationally, employers have dumped over 260,000 jobs, meaning that these are jobs that no longer exist.
Sign the petition to Stop the Senate from denying extended unemployment at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pass-the-unemployment-bill
The Senate Republicans are out of touch, delusional and not serving the people. Truly failure of government at a time of its citizens' highest need.
Everyone give them a wakeup call for the unemployed who are now without benefits, and each week more join the list. Six million unemployed = Depression! Nationally, employers have dumped over 260,000 jobs, meaning that these are jobs that no longer exist.
Sign the petition to Stop the Senate from denying extended unemployment at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pass-the-unemployment-bill
The Senate Republicans are out of touch, delusional and not serving the people. Truly failure of government at a time of its citizens' highest need.
Now, Obama's administration, all senators and congressman knows that fact.
Another truth is that 15,000,000 unemployed not counted the partimers are going to starve. They need to cur the crab and pay attention to the basics of life.
We all need this exension and perhaps more to come for the rest of 2010. Obama and his team are not going to creat 10,000,000 jobs in the next 12 months.
We are luck even to see 2,500,000 job created for the next 18 months. What is going to happen to us. Every year there are more than 1,000,000 collage graduate enter to job market. Do not count them out. 80% stay at minimum wage pays and the other 20% stay unemployed.
Revised formula puts number of poor people at 47.4 million -- 7 million more than official rate
This just got out hot press. Well we konw that there are 48 million people who do make under $18,600 per year. Now we do not need to add more than 2,000,000 to this figure by the end of this year.
It is the time for all of us to speak and ask for our benefits. I worked over 25 years in my career and I deserve to get the extensions. You all do as well.
What the Dems need is a strong leader to push the bill through, if he has the majority votes of the Dems plus Sanders, the Independents. I still say that all the Dems aren't on board either, and I'm not buying that to cloture the bill and send it to a floor vote would take longer. It's already been nearly two weeks already, so how much longer could it take? I keep reading media statements that Reid wants a vote 'sweep'. What exactly does that mean? Does he want a sweep of the Dem votes? Does he want a sweep of the full Senate? I believe that both parties are playing politics with the extension bill. If the GOP had the best interests of We the People at heart, they wouldn't be delaying the bill from a floor vote by adding EIGHT amendments that have to be debated. If they really cared about the horrendous state of affairs that we're facing, they would remove their objections and let the bill come to the floor. After all, there are the GOP faithful who are suffering too.
If the Dems had our best interests at heart, Reid would be paying more than lip service to what is fast moving from critical to catastrophic for a majority of us whether we are Dems, Repubs or Independents.
Bless your hearth. Well said. I loved the way you express the truth. I am on board with you.
Guys we are a nation with 48 million people on poverty. That is alot. Only 6 % of Amricans are realy living well. The rest of us are in deep %#*t.
I have a Ph.D. degree and out of work for 3 years. I am aware of at least 10 other doctors with no job at the present time. Government knows we are in trouble.
Read the fine lines. OBAMA is so much focused on Afkanestan and Iraq that he totaly forgoten that we elected him not the oil cartels. (But may be they did it.)!!!
The federal extension is a peanut in compare to cost or war in middle east. (Just cost of one week only ) Oh no. Yes that is the fact. !!
I am on board with you as well. I would blame the entire administration. I would blame all politicians for creating this financial crises in our country.
It is not just one party, It is all of them.
Call their offices! Call your senators and most importantly, call Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. His aides will tell you that he "supports" the extension. But what they don't tell you is they are wanting to add several ammendments... unrelated to unemployment... to the bill. Tell them to stop playing politics with our lives and withdraw all objections and unrelated ammendments to allow unamimous consent for the passage of H.R. 3548.
Senator Mitch McConnell’s DC office: 202-224-2541
Senator Kyl’s DC office: 202-224-4521
Call Senator Reid and ask him to take the "Lead" and get this bill passed:
202-224-3542
If you are looking for information and resources related to unemployment, please check out WWW.WERQIN.COM
the republicans are delaying the extension because of
wanting to add amendments such as immigration- and
ACORN-related amendments they hope will fly alongside
the unemployment benefits bill. What does this.. have
anything to do with people having food and shelter.
NOTHING!!!!!! They just don't give a damn!
that the senate will vote again on the unemployment extension
bill this Tuesday. Everyone please call.. your senator. Let
your voices be heard!!! United WE STAND!
We should keep calling and reminding them we need help. It is time for some action.
Paul Cook, please do not use french words. We are serious and want to have a real communication with Washington. Obama needs to wake up and stop living in la la land.
This is real. people are starving. Playing time is long over.
to wake up, and do the right thing. Its the Republicans
who is playing games and seem to be living on a different
planet. When election time comes around people are
not going to allow them to forget it. They are laughing
now.. but will cry later. And they will deserve it!
October 21, 2009 by senatus
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has filed a procedural (cloture) motion on the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 3548).
It’s not clear when this vote would take place or if it will be necessary. The Majority Leader said he was still working with Republican leaders on a limited list of amendments to the bill so it could be called up and debated without need for the cloture motion.
Update (10/22): Reid spoke this morning on the unemployment extension bill. He said he hopes members can work something out so this cloture vote, which would take place tomorrow morning, will not be necessary. Staffers are working off the floor on a finite list of amendments from both sides which would be debated and voted upon prior to a final vote on the extension. If things progress as the Democratic leaders hope, those votes could take place today. But there are still a lot of discussions to take place before such an agreement can be announced.
Update Two: Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) has just locked in an agreement to hold the cloture vote on Tuesday, October 27 at 2:30 (Washington D.C. time). This vote is taking place on the motion to proceed, which essentially allows the Senate to begin debating the bill. So if Tuesday’s motion passes, there could be up to 30 hours of post-cloture time required by Republicans before the debate and amendment process on the bill begins.
Unemployment Extension to Get Senate's Attention Next Week
With nearly 1.5 million Americans expected to exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of the year, the stakes are high for a federally funded benefits extension that has been delayed in the Senate. While the House earlier passed a version of the bill by a wide margin, the Senate expanded the reach of the House bill by offering additional weeks of paid benefits to all states, rather than only those with the highest unemployment rates. While the Senate bill doesn't lack support, Republicans have objected to its funding and have been interested in adding amendments that don't have much favor among Democrats.
RollCall reports that the two sides are working to find agreement on the amendments, but the measure could otherwise take up much of the Senate's schedule next week.
This is better news for the unemployed, who are exhausting their benefits at a rate of 7,000 individuals a day, according to estimates from the National Employment Law Project.
The Senate bill would provide between 14 and 20 additional weeks of benefits for eligible workers, but it's still unclear what the job market will look like when those benefits have also been exhausted. The Labor Department's most recent report on job openings and turnover showed a series-low level of 2.4 million job openings on the last business day in August, compared with roughly 15 million unemployed job seekers. While the White House and Congress continue to consider new ways of stimulating job growth through spending or tax credits, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has begun to voice strong concerns about the nation's fiscal deficit.
failed to reach an agreement on amendments to the bill,
which would extend UI benefits by 14 weeks in all states,
and an additional six weeks in states where unemployment
rates top 8.5 percent.
The amendments that the GOP wanted to add to the
unemployment exstension bill was regarding, immgration
and ACORN. Which has nothing to do with unemployment
benefits. And this is the stalling tactic that is affecting millions
of lives.
Everyone please call your senators and tell them
what you feel and think about this kind of nonsense.
When election year comes around lets send them..
to thier nearest.. local unemployment office.
to worry. Because by the grace and mercy
of our Almighty God, we are all.. going to
make it through this..
exstension bills are Jon Kyle (Republican) 202-224-4521
Senator Orrin Hatch (Republican) 202 224 5251
I received more inf from Emanon off another site
He writes...
It is not just Senators Kyl & Hatch who are blocking the
bill from vote & passage. They speak for the Republican
Senators. When Senator Hatch objected, he specifically
said I object on behalf of OUR SIDE. (Go to thomas.loc.gov
for a copy of the transcript of what Senator Hatch said when
he blocked the vote on 10/13/09.)
Senator McConnell is the leader of the Republican Senators.
If he wanted the bill passed, he could do arm twisting in his
own party. When you call his office, his staff say they don’t
know his position on this bill. If he was for this bill, his staff
would have said so.
I called Senator Lugar’s office (R-IN). He opposed the bill,
claiming we can’t afford it during this time of recession. We
are not in a Recession. We are in a Depression. Also,
Congressional Budget Office said the bill will pay for itself,
so not a penny is added to the nation’s deficit.
I called Senator Coburn’s office (R-OK). His office said he is
blocking the bill because he wants stimulus money to pay for
the extension.
I called Senator Shelby’s office (R-AL). He office said he will
vote No on extending unemployment & to check his website
for his reason. His website does not explain why he will vote
No. When others call, his office denied saying he will vote No.
It seems like you have to tape record your conversations with
these Senators’ offices.
Everyone.. please call your senators!
Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. on proceeding to H.R. 3548, the Unemployment
Compensation Extension Act. The Senate also plans action on the
Unemployment Insurance Extension
Senate voted 87-13 on an important procedural motion
allowing debate to begin on an extension of
federal jobless benefitS. This does not mean
it has past the Senate yet. It means it would
allow them to stop.. adding admendments and
finally.. proceed futher to take up the Senate
vote on the unemployment exstension bill. If the
bill passes it would go the House. Below are
the names of all 13 republicans who voted against
to proceed futher on the Senate Vote. And who are
voting against the unemployment exstension bill.
Everyone please call theses senators..
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)
Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO)
Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY)
Sen. Thomas Coburn (R-OK)
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK)
Sen. Jefferson Sessions (R-AL)
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)
I guess it took this kind of crissis, for them to really
show who they truly are for. And how they really
feel about us . According to thier actions, they don't
feel anything for us at all. We'll when election year
comes around in 2010 and 2012. We will be able to
show them how we really feel about them as well.
Because this is truly horrible the way they have shown
us, and treated us. People can say whatever...
they want to say about wanting to help the American
people, out of thier mouths, its thier actions that speak
louder than any.. words. And we are hearing you, loud
and clear.
GOP Sets Up More Roadblocks To Unemployment Benefits Extension
by Adam Doster on October 29, 2009 - 5:09pm
Almost two days after the H.R. 3548 survived its first cloture vote, there has been no major movement on the bill that would extend unemployment insurance for Americans who have exhausted their benefits. Why? Republicans keep throwing up new procedural barriers.
My opinion, they are truly some unbelivable evil, son of a bitches!
There are a lot of questions among our readers about when the next vote on H.R. 3548 will take place. Late last evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced that his chamber will hold another cloture vote Monday on the final language of the unemployment benefits bill. The Senate calendar lists a possible vote on Sunday at 5 pm. We have calls in to both Sen. Reid and Sen. Dick Durbin's office seeking clarification. *** But at the very least, action should be taken by Monday.
If the extension survives the procedural hurdle, Senate rules dictate that Democrats must wait an additional 30 hours before a final tally can be taken. That means the it could be approved by late Tuesday or early Wednesday at the earliest. The bill would then have to be reconciled with the less-generous House version or approved in full by the lower chamber.
Democratic leaders are tired of waiting around for GOP leadership to jump on board. As a result, the bill will not include any of the additional amendments requested by Republicans, including speeding up the expiration date for the Troubled Asset Relief Program or modifying the way the extension is funded. Instead, Mike Lillis reports that only a tax credit for homebuyers and a business-friendly tax write-off benefit will be taken up.
*** UPDATE (11:41 AM): Sen. Reid's office got back in touch with us and verified that the vote will be held Monday evening at 5 pm EST. The Senate calendar is incorrect.