Congress looks at unemployment relief
Although there is disagreement in Congress about increasing government spending on infrastructure, there appears to be bi-partisan support to do something for the unemployed. Danielle Karson has more.
People stand in line for a resume review at a job fair in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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TEXT OF STORY
Stacey Vanek-Smith: Economic Stimulus is the topic du jour on Capital Hill as well. Democrats in Congress are working on a plan to bolster government spending on infrastructure. Danielle Karson reports.
Danielle Karson: The Democrats want more spending on bridges and transportation. The GOP isn't ruling out a second stimulus package, so long as it doesn't tack on a huge public works program. But both parties do agree on one subject.
Maurice Emsellem: There's actually pretty good bi-partisan support for extending unemployment benefits. People understand the economy is in really rough shape, and could become much more serious in the next couple of months.
Maurice Emsellem is with the National Employment Law Project. He says the House proposal would extend unemployment benefits from 13 to 20 weeks. Workers in states with unemployment above 6-percent would get 26 weeks.
Emsellem: We're expecting that number to go up, perhaps as high as 15 states with unemployment above 6 percent, or close to 6.5 percent.
If Congress does nothing, more than 800-thousand workers will run out of unemployment benefits in less than two weeks.
In Washington, I'm Danielle Karson for Marketplace.
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From Brooklyn, NY, 10/27/2008
I worked as a Professional in Broadcast Media, and if I annot find a job what is out there for anyone at this time? I have been out and my unemployment has run out two weeks ago, I am frightened and have run out of any money that I had, why Mr. Bush can you not think if us who have worked hard all of our lives and not get just a little help when we dearly need it?
From Flat Rock, MI, 10/27/2008
my name is Jade and i'm 33 years old. I am a single mom with 2 kids ages 16 and 8 years old. I have arthritis in my right hand and it's balled into a fist, but I still able to work. I lost my job April of 2008 because my company downsized. I ran out of my regular unemployment and now i'm on the extension. Only 12 weeks are left. I filed bankrupt and I turned in my vehicle because I was 4 months behind. We are without any type of transportation. I get a bit of child support each and it's a blessing, but it doesn't even cover my $505.00 rent. Michigan sucks I live in a area where you need a car to get around. I get no help from any family. I can't find a job not even a part time one. My 16 she can;'t even find anything. Our extension ends January 12, 2009 after that what will I do. I want to relocate out of state badly, but don't have enough money to even buy a bus ticket. I found many jobs in Texas, but none of the Employers are willing to pay for travel expenses. Somebody please help my kids and I please. I'm getting so scared.
From Chicago, IL, 10/25/2008
I'm 54 yrs old worked hard for 32yrs straight in 2006 lost my job collected umemployment for 26 weeks back then Things were getting bad. Struggled while on unemployment to find a job back then finally got a job working for temp company.But that only lasted 3 months.Then luckly found another job through another temp company worked for 6 months lost that job because of down sizing been off of work since middle of Oct. of 2007 Started collecting unemployment in Feb of 2008.The reason I did not apply right away was because I had hope that I would find another job.And I had funds I saved through collecting unemployment.Now all of you hoping for a extention READ CAREFULLY because I just received a letter from unemployment that says I was not eligible for the extention because I did not earn enough in my last quarter of 2007.Our goverment is helping out everyone in Wall Street.Helping the banks.Helping out other countries But people who try to find a job and can't because your over qualified or you might not be able to speak Spanish which I think is crap can't get jobs. And get help with a extention because things are tuff. When is Congress and the house of Reps going to get some balls and penalize the companies that go to other countries to start new companies while they have there corporate offices here in America making money hand over fist because they get cheaper labor.And all this outsourceing.I know when I get on the phone and call for some information I get a man who you can't understand.I sure there are allot of people here who could give out information which we could understand.How many people are really unemployed? Because once your off the unemployment list your not considered and thats ashame.I feel sorry for all the retiries that are struggling on SS who worked to make this country great and now struggle to make ends meet.I feel bad to this forced 401K scam who lost money because of greedy people in Wall Street.Your proprty goes down in value but you pay higher property taxes.Food Gas everything is going up while people still working and have Mother and father working trying to live.Our Goverment should be ashamed in what there doing to the American way of life.I think it should be called The American way of struggle.Men and women are working harder and getting less.We do have a great Country but we need to have the Goverment see how we as Americans are struggling.They say they understand our problems but do they REALLY????????????
From Los Angeles, CA, 10/02/2008
I have more of an understanding of this "bail out" since they "dumbed it" down for us..still don't see any sweetners for the (800,000 and growing) unemployed Americans unable to find work in this economy. Who are they kidding? I have lost my sense of humor!
From Reno, NV, 10/01/2008
Has anyone heard as of the past couple day's what the status is, as if they are going to extend or not? I have looked many places and there are updates but only with the date, it's just the same posting every day. Please advise what you know.
From MI, 10/01/2008
I have been unemployed since 9-07, my unemployment will run out in 2 weeks, I finally have received confirmation for the No Worker left behind program that I applied for back in January, I applied at a time when I was receiveing unemployment so that when I was finished with unemployment I might have a degree in which to look for a job, Not that I haven't been looking I work in the restaurant buisness and the last restaurant to open here was a SONIC 500 people showed up for this job, It's not that were not looking It isn't there I need this extra extention to survive, and I tell ya If they seized all these fat cats money and assets, we wouldn't have to worrie about a bail out they'd take care of it themself and we could get along with the real problem at had the MIDDLE CLASS hard working people that are being screwed. President bush pass this bill for the average AMERICAN just trying to survive
From Sweeny, TX, 09/30/2008
I was laid-off in November 07. I cashed out my 401k (paid a hefty fee), Federal Tax refund, Stimulous check, and life insurance policy in order to pay my mortgage and bills. I lost my house in September 08 to foreclosure, sold my vehicle, and moved in with my in-laws in another state. I have every creditor calling, mailing, and emailing me demanding money. I am on the verge of calling it quits! I followed the law and broke no rules, yet it is the "financial giants" who will be reaping the rewards for breaking the law and not following the rules. While many are putting the blame on Bush, they need to stop and take a look at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. That windbag needs to sit down, shut up, and do her job.
From Los Angeles, CA, 09/29/2008
I too am very upset about running out of unemployment (I have been working for 43 Years)especially when I don't hear anyone talking about the homeless (due to forclosures) unemployed Americans, just the fat cats on Wall Street, and the World banks that control the economy! I was too emotional to respond until I read the comments above. That I am not alone.
What's next? Bread lines? There is (has been) an unequal distributions of wealth in this country for years, now the time has come. This country was based on a tax revolt! Please help the peasants!
Thanks.
From Saint Ignace, MI, 09/28/2008
What is going on, We have people in our country needing help just to live, and we are bailing out Wall Street, What kind of government does that, oh wait there not the ones in the unemployment lines, or out looking for jobs that aren't there. Seems like maybe they better come up with more help for the american people instead of there stimulus checks, how far do they expect that to go. People got there tax returns and rebate checks and the economy is still a mess. Don't even go into a grocery store or walmart you cant even afford to look at the stuff on the shelves prices keep going up but not our pay. Congress need to get it together. We are getting sick of there bandaide tricks.
From Stratford, CT, 09/27/2008
Have worked 30 + yrs even 2 jobs for many yrs in my younger days; never been a slacker nor rec'd a dime from any govt free anything while raising my son alone/Unemployed as of Dec 07 We need an extension of the 13 wk extension NOW Very scary times Can't live w/no $$ and in 2 wks I will have NONE - I have a 4 yr college degree - previously earned a very good living and worked a salaried position 9, 10 & 11 hrs per day w/no OT Again, I am not a slacker - times are just worse than folks out there realize or want to admit HELP US PLEASE
From Rochester NY, NY, 09/26/2008
Ive been unemployed since 12/07. I have been looking for employment and none is there to be found. I take care of my mother who is fighting cancer and my husband is disabled. The only thing that has saved us from losing my home is the unemployment benefits. They will run out in two weeks. I don't mind helping paying my share to assist with the bailout, but I do mind if we are all forgotten and we continue to lose all we have but wall street gets saved. DON'T FORGET ALL OF US. EXTEND THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
From Middleburg, FL, 09/25/2008
I don't have any benefits and my husband's unemployment benefits run out in two weeks, too. He too is in construction and can't find work, we don't qualify for any government assistance, our savings and 401(k)'s are completely gone. I don't want to even think of the tax bill next year for using that 401 k money to live on. I can't afford my insulins, and we both have very expensive meds we need and can't afford. I can't afford to sell my house, and the mortgage is 3 months late. We just need the unemployment to buy groceries & pay the utlility bills. I have no idea what will happen if our mortgage is forclosed on. Day by day, hand to mouth, that's how far we have fallen. We don't want a hand out, we want to work to earn a wage to pay our bills. Until that time comes, we need unemployment benefits or we'll be out on the streets.
From Cadillac, MI, 09/25/2008
I have been unemployed and looking for work for 1 1/2 years. The jobs are not out there. The Open Congress has closed their blog to the unemployed. It is taking attention away from the corporate bail out .
From Palm Bay, FL, 09/24/2008
My husband and I are both receiving unemployment benefits, his however will run out in Oct...he was a builder and was the last one to be laid off (in a crew of 25) last October...I do not have to tell you what has happened to the housing industry since last year...needless to say he has applied a numerous places and to no avail, nothing has come to fruition...I am an Accounting Professional and have been looking for work for the past 8 months...the current financial crisis I am certain has not helped my situation coupled with the fact that I am over qualified for just about everything I apply for...we have exhausted all of our income resources (Tax Refund,stimulus check,savings and forced to cash out our 401k)...we have managed to stay on top but I do not know for how much longer...what even sadder is that we had to go to the doctor and attempted to utilize a local government resource and they told us we only qualified for a 20% discount because we made too much money (unemployment is classified as too much money $275 a week (gross)..is that a joke or what...I know that we live in the greatest country in the world..but lately I have begun to question; Is the US really a country for the people by the people? Congress please do something help your people now!!!!!
From Weymouth, MA, 09/22/2008
I am a single mother and have sent out close to 100 resumes and have applied for just about anything and still can not find a job. I am getting really worried as to how I am going to support my son and survive in these touph times. Please give the 2nd extension to give people more time to find a job. This is the worst job market i've ever scene.
From Atlanta, GA, 09/22/2008
I have been unemployed since September 11, 2007. I am an Auditor, not lazy and have resorted to looking for jobs at retail stores (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) to no avail. I am over-qualified and the fear of me leaving when I find employment in my field is just too much for them to take a chance on. I am tired of the GOVERNMENT and their need to bail out big business and fund a war going no where. What about me and the thousands of other's who are diligently looking for work after being laid off? What about the thousands of other's who may have jobs today, but tomorrow they may be on the unemployment line. What does it mean to me to bail out a banking system full of flaws, regulation issues, mismanagement of finances, etc. I went from a $78k dollar a year job to collecting unemployment roughly $1200 per month...It is not much but better than nothing which is what I will be facing October 5th! I am frustrated and tired and do not tell me this mess began yesterday...From where I am standing the funding of this war seems to have become our Presidents top priority and the people of this country became secondary...I am not looking for a hand-out by no means, but when my unemployment runs out how will I take care of myself and my children. My husband works, but one income does not make it in this time we live in.
From Ruther Glen, VA, 09/22/2008
I've been unemployed since Jan 2nd. There isn't much I haven't done to secure employment. I'm a single parent, I've defaulted on Aug mortgage, rallied and paid it late, now I've defaulted on Sept. My choices are save all pennies, not pay my mortgage, or pay the mortgage and be penniless and homeless. This situation of bailing out the big guys who created this mess isn't going to help. If we don't get jobs, mortgages will continue to forclose and we are going to have a lot of single parents and underage children in the streets and homeless shelters. HELP, we need that extension of benefits. I've done my part, two senators and my congressman have been notified of my situation
From chicago, IL, 09/22/2008
please please congress extend unemployment benefits WE THE PEOPLE ALSO NEED TO BE BAILED OUT, my benefits will expire in less then two weeks , please congress I NEED HELP !! PLEASE DONT FORGET THE LITTLE GUY !! THANK YOU
From MI, 09/22/2008
here in Michigan we got more companies down sizing so we will be up to 10% bay Dec 2008
From FL, 09/21/2008
Congress must realize that the average unemployed worker exhausting their benefits need more help than Wall Street. After all we have ALREADY lost everything and we certainly didn't get bailed out. We are just trying to survive and it looks like our days are numbered. PLEASE HELP US... We are sinking throw us a life preserver and fast.
From Chicago, IL, 09/21/2008
I hope the Dems will add the STIMULUS PACKAGE which includes the unemployment benefits extension on the BAIL OUT because if we believe what Paulson and Bush state that this is a crisis situation, then they will sign the bill regardless of the STIMULUS PACKAGE added or not. Ordinary Americans like myselp need help too.
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