Another extension for jobless benefits?
The Senate may take up a bill to extend benefits for more than a million unemployed Americans -- the fourth such extension. Mitchell Hartman reports.
Application for unemployment benefits (iStockPhoto)
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TEXT OF STORY
Bill Radke: As early as today, the Senate will take up a bill to extend benefits for more than a million unemployed Americans. It'll be the fourth -- count 'em, fourth -- such extension, in which the federal government pays the tab for people whose state benefits have run out. Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman reports.
Mitchell Hartman: Under the Senate bill, unemployed workers would get up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment checks.
And Congress would pay the $2.5-billion price tag by renewing a tax on employers. It amounts to $14-dollars-a-year per worker, says Judy Conti of the National Employment Law Project.
JUDY CONTI: It is not a new tax, and it is quite minimal considering the stimulative effect -- all of these unemployment benefits going out to people, who will immediately spend it on the necessities of life.
Employer groups aren't against more benefits. They just don't want to pay for them. State chambers of commerce sent a letter to the Senate that says funding the extension with an employer tax will stifle job growth.
Norm Isotalo of Michigan's unemployment agency says another extension is worth the cost.
NORM ISOTALO: We estimate that about 100,000 jobless workers in the state who have exhausted their benefits will qualify.
And with Michigan's unemployment rate over 15 percent, those workers aren't likely to find another source of income anytime soon.
I'm Mitchell Hartman for Marketplace.
Comments
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From Haverhill, MA, 11/03/2009
Hell, I'm going to vote right now.
There is a local election in my town today, and I will vote for EVERYONE who is nobody. I haven't voted for an incumbent in years, but that won't stop me. Vote the OPPOSITE PARTY!
From Templeton, MA, 11/02/2009
THE FACT IS RIGHT NOW A SMALL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ARE VERY RICH IN THIS COUNTRY. GUESS WHAT THEY DON'T CARE IF THE OTHER 99% OF US GO POOR. I KNOW I WILL BE LAID OFF SOON AND PROBABLY MY WIFE TOO I JUST HOPE THERE ARE ENOUGH BENEFITS LEFT FOR US TO TRY AND WAIT OUT THE RECESSION IF IT EVER ENDS
From MI, 11/01/2009
I just wanted to add that the only reason that they are stalling this bill is to add the damn first time home buyer credit into it. You tell me how that is supposed to help those of us who are trying to find work and losing our homes or having to tell our children im sorry we can't buy presents this year because we don't have any money. it must be nice to sit on capital hill and do nothing because our pockets are fat and the under class means nothing to us. well heres some news for you in the seneate that want to stall things without us under class working you wouldn't have a pay check so keep it up till we have another great depression.
From Boston, MA, 10/31/2009
I am an independent and have vited both parties but after seeing how the Republicans arestalling this unemployment bill i will never vite Republican again. If I can't find a democrat to vote for I won't vote. The Republicans are a survival of the fittest party. If you're not financially fit, tough. And this nonsense about them being for small government? They are for big govenment just like the democrats as long as it has to do withsecurity issues. If it has to do with security they don't care how big the govenment gets. They just arn't happy unless they're making people miserable including their own citizens.
From Louisville, KY, 10/31/2009
I have been unemployed for 18 mo. Worked for 42 years for same company. I have never drawn any kind of help for anything before. I have 1 more check coming, then the government will still have to take care of me because I will be on Welfare and food stamps. Please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Los Angeles, CA, 10/30/2009
It's intresting how the "Christan Party"can be so unlike Christ.
From OH, 10/30/2009
just a though on the GOP stalling the unemployment bill over and over and over again. do you think that the GOP are smart enough to know that they are going to lost a lot of seats come election time? do you think the GOP knows that the middle class are the ones who will vote them out of office? Do you think the the GOP knows that the the least likely to vote are the poor and homeless? Do you think that the GOP thinks, if we hold up the unemployment bill it will send million of unemployed into poverty, so the people that are going to vote us out are now the people who are the least likely to vote. If these people don't vote we don't lose or jobs. by holding up this bill the GOP has put 7000 people a day into poverty and thus less likely to vote against them. Just a though.
From Minnetonka, MN, 10/30/2009
To Andrew Ryan:
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but, the language in the pending jobless benefits bill is quite specific and benefits will not be retroactive. Your payments will start at the time the bill is made law and continue for either 14 or 20 weeks depending on your state's unemployment rate.
From Paterson, NJ, 10/30/2009
I can understand why for the most part the majority of comments posted here express outrage & shock by people that they are represented by cold & heartless individuals. Well guess what America, welcome to the real world. Why do you think so many people outside of this country hate us? Because they have been the victims of what you are now the victims of. White men that think the sun rises and sets only in their hemisphere, that God only created white America and the U.S. and that everyone else is beneath them. As a black man I've known this since the first day I was made to stand outside of a diner to be served and this was just 45yrs. ago.
I empathize with anyone who is suffering and I realize that no one has cornered the market on pain and no one is immune from catastrophe. Just remember this period in your life and realize that there are people in this country that have suffered all of their life because of the very attitudes of these same politicians and perhaps from this day forward some of you won't be so quick to judge and hold your nose in disdain. Because "AS long as we continue to look only at ourselves in the picture, we will never see anyone else and no one will ever see us."
Jay Arrington
From cleveland, OH, 10/30/2009
Okay they need to pass this I havent see any UCB since end of August 2009 when my tier 3 ran out !I know the sooner this is signed into law they can retroactive our pay to that date so please hurry cause I know it will take Ohio at least 2 weeks to get this going in their system because they will be unprepaired like aways heck I doubt anyone who matters will even see anyones comments .... also the best way to get your message accrosed or to get your voice heard find a less popular senator to email you usually get some responce within a week ...
From Grand Rapids, MI, 10/30/2009
Why don't we just go all the way, I mean Chinese Communism. Think of all the jobs created at the reeducation camps. Everyone would have a subsistance income except our leaders (who, of course) would be billionaires. Oh that's right... we're already doing that!
From orlando, FL, 10/30/2009
Unreal! Senator McConnell is going as low a possible.I have a question .Can somebody tell me about the 60 hour debate ticker?We are not gonna get a vote until next week?And people,please stop posting McConnells number .Its not going to do anything .You may wanna call his voicemail for a peace of mind,but believe me,that scum is not losing any sleep.All we can do is take the punches and roll with it.Just remember what type of people we vote into power.Do your homework when election time comes.Im praying for everybody that is going thru these hard times.People like McConnell,Kyl,Palin(even tho shes not involed) have no souls.Money is their power,not GOD.We have to vote these scums out of power some how some way..Like so many people,the end of the month is here and i dont know how im gonna pay my bills and rent.Its so scary.I had to get a loan for my cellphone bill.How can these people look themselves in the mirror everyday?We cant protest cause we cant afford to get to the rally.This is just a lesson to let the people know that the worst crooks wear ties and carry smirks.Their kids and grandkids are living well off of our hard earned tax dollars.We have to stop this cruel cycle,so our kids dont have to go thru this.Something has to give!
From Austin, TX, 10/30/2009
Republican obstructionism? All they want is to pay for it with unused stimulus money instead of taxing the very businesses we want to offer us jobs.
C'mon, this isn't republican or democrat, it's bureaucracy, the same bureaucracy that destroyed the economy in the first place.
From Clarksville, TN, 10/29/2009
I hope the extended benefits is approved real soon since I ran out of benefits the end of Sep 09 and have not been able to find a job and now have no money coming in. We have family that helps but I feel that I have worked all my life and when I need help, it is taking too long for these benefits to be approved.
From west hollywood, NY, 10/29/2009
i've had to go on welfare and food stamps due to lack of jobs and lack of income. i go to food pantries once a week and i am a 'charity case' at cedars-sinai. i sold my house and last week i had to sell my car.
and i have it good.
From Medford, NJ, 10/29/2009
How about the "Unemployed Party"
Hell, I could use a cup of coffee...
From Medford, NJ, 10/29/2009
You know, I'm just a lowly unemployed taxpayer whose been paying into this system for 32 years. My checks stopped 5 weeks ago. I have no income, no job, no rent $$, no groceries, no gas....no life.
And some Republican is doing this...remember them come election days.....lets not forget who bailed out the banks....but wouldn't take care of the families in this country.
From claferon, NM, 10/29/2009
They are throwing money at everything and now they stop at the unemployed.
What a joke. Well, it will be unfortunate when I stop paying my credit cards (35% interest), health benefits, and etc.
I am happy these small minded petty psuedo intellectuals are unable to do anything.
I believe 2 million people on the streets is exactly the wake up call we need to NEVER EVER VOTE AN INCUMBANT IN AGAIN.
Which is why I am joining a new political party called "The Opposite Party"
Just vote for the new guy, no matter how disconnected, unsympathetic, self centered and filled with undeserved expectations that person is.
BTW, I don’t care about right vs.left, republicand vs. democrats; an incumbent politician is un-American; our founding fathers didn’t have lifetime politicians.
Many of our problems stems from the fact we have taxation without representation thanks to a lobby system that would dazzle anyone. So you can’t really blame them. You must blame yourself for voting an incumbent in or worse yet, for not voting at all.
Regardless of your economic situation and political view, I urge you to join my cause and never ever vote in an incumbent again.
That’s right. Just keep saying to yourself “I will vote for the NEW guy”.
On second thought I think we need a new name for our party. Something that makes us think to never ever vote an incumbent in again.
So for all you unemployed people, who ever gives me the best name wins a $5 star bucks card. Which is more than your country gave you over the last several weeks if you are one of the 400k people whose benefits ran out in September.
God Bless America!
From Indianapolis, IN, 10/29/2009
As I perceive it the hardest place to install E-Verify, 287 G, or even directing ICE to raid employers is Sanctuary Cities and even States? CALIFORNIA seems to be the epitome of Sanctuary States, but it is estimated to be 127 cities and towns that ignore the US government. San Francisco and Los Angeles stands out as being Sanctuary cities where it's mayors Galvin Newsom and Antonio R. Villaraigosa, along with an compliment of police departments who have cultivated over the years a refuge for the impoverished illegal immigrants, illegal criminal of other countries. Very few businesses have enforced E-Verify, because at this time there is no mandatory law, except for federal contractors/subcontractors. Sen. Sessions has at this time been the fortress against illegal immigration through the Bush and now President Obama administrations. He is determined to adjoin E-Verify as a permanent amendment to the Senate Unemployment benefit extension bill H.R.3548 for 14 weeks. In the same amendment Sen. Sessions would require new applicants for unemployment compensation to have their citizenship status verified using E-Verify. The computer software program E-Verify could also be used for identifying applicants for drivers licenses, automotive insurance, all health care benefits, real estate purchases and mortgage and of course ineligible workers. Even the Public option if enacted in health care could be used to verify all positive recipients and over time become a very sophisticated matrix of data bases to reject ineligible applicants for government benefits.
Senate leaders are currently negotiating which amendments will be considered for the bill, and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is trying to prevent a vote on the amendment altogether. E-Verify is becoming a significant potent weapon against illegal immigration in the ongoing battle. It has come under constant legal bombardment by a long list of open border organizations, including the US chamber of Commerce. E-Verify however remains intact, although other enforcement tools such as 287 G, has been weakened by Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano. Without millions of dollars being appropriated, E-Verify on a continuous basis can eradicate illegal labor for pennies. No need for mass deportation as E-Verify will streamline removal of foreign nationals, owing to parasite businesses will be in incessant fear of being fined or sentenced to a prison term if apprehended by ICE for using illegal workers. As with 2010 census? Those who entered without--THE PEOPLE'S--permission, have violated our laws, and should not, must not be allowed to be enumerated in the decennial census? Is Washington so sure that they will pass this 2nd Amnesty, when Ted Kennedy previous comprehensive immigration reform turned into fraudulent travesty?
Ordinary American workers have become watchdogs for suspicious activity in the working environment. My blogs, comments and articles are limited in information, but keep this issue under public scrutiny. For more details of malevolent politicians who need to be constantly reminded who they work for? For immigration enforcement grading NUMBERSUSA. To light a fire under nonchalant politicians who are selling American workers futures to highest bidder contact WASHINGTON at 202-224-3121 As easily as you voted for these people, you can vote them OUT? Demand NO--MORE--AMNESTIES. Rebuild a two-tier Southern border fence as originally intended. TELL THEM YOU WANT PERMANENT E-VERIFY FOR EVERY WORKER, WHO’S ON A PAYROLL. STAND WITH SEN. SESSIONS. Study the corruption in every level of government at JUDICIAL WATCH. Read about unstoppable OVERPOPULATION GROWTH at CAPSWEB. Read lists of legislators are trying to push through another path to citizenship--alias AMNESTY at http://tinyurl.com/CIR-letter-to-POTUS. THESE CONGRESSMAN/ WOMEN WANT TO STEAL YOUR JOB AND GIVE IT TO ILLEGAL ALIENS? KEEP THEM EMBOSSED IN YOUR MEMORY AND UNSEAT THEM WHEN THEY COME FORWARD FOR RE-ELECTION.
From Louisville, KY, 10/29/2009
Hey guys, if anyone watched CSpan2 90 minutes ago. That was disgusting. McConnell again objected to cloture over those bogus amendmendts even after Reid had accepted three. The one amendment McConnell kept pushing was that sunset of the TARP funds which the House has said they will not accept. But McConnell woiuldn't let the vote proceed despite Reid pleading with him on behalf of the 1 million people who now have lost benefits. McConnell smirked a lot and wouldn't budge. In fact, they had quite a fight. So, the debate is now pushed to Monday at the earliest and a bill may not pas until moddle of next week and the House leaers supposedly said they wouldn't consider anything but helath care after next week. McConnell's office is 202-224-2541.
From Nashville, TN, 10/29/2009
New Depression Blues - I'm Country Carl the Artist and Advocate for additional unemployment benefits on Unemployment-Gone-Mad.com. CURRENTLY the GOP is holding us hostage on the extension bill over funding issues and have added several extortion amendments. The 9.8% national rate story says it all about this jobless disaster. We need NOW to contact our Senators through( http://unemployment-gone-mad.com/ ) (Forget Mitch McConnell R/Kentucky with his attitude "No Bread, LET THEM EAT CAKE"). As we wait thousands more become dumpster divers, tent pitchers and street corner beggars.
From la habra, CA, 10/29/2009
Sometimes we the people feel that we are on our own trying to make ends meet with no results. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.I was raised with the thought that you worked for 25-30 years and then retired. BULL.I have worked for 38 years and at age 55 now I will work until death or diability to satisfy the needs of the greed of goverment. How can goverment expect us taxpayers to foot the bill with no jobs and all this BS about the fourth unemployment extension that we will pay in future taxes? It's our money not theirs. What about all the money us working stiffs payed into unemployment funds that we have never used? Where did that money go? Same story with our Social Security Taxes we pay.We are all victims of theft by criminals within the goverment such as the crooks that bailed out the banks with our money.
From Atlanta, GA, 10/29/2009
I know the unemployment front is tough, but instead of focusing on kicking the can down the road, we need to focus on growing jobs. You don't do that by taxing business. Since we compete against the rest of the world, we need to make the US the most productive place on the planet. Mr. Isotalo had the typical reaction of a clueless bureaucrat. 100,000 Michiganers will qualify for this new benefit, so it must be good. Why don't we just give everyone money. Then everyone qualifies, which is even better. ;-)
From northvilole, MI, 10/29/2009
I am appalled at the stall tatics in the Senate!!! I don't even know where to begin.... illegals are getting benefits and the senate is fighting about whether or not they should get them? Are you kidding? I am sorry but how can you E-verify(their supposed plan to avoid paying benefits to illegals) when they let them stay in this country and not verify them in the first place? They are arguing over this while legal, US AMERICAN CITIZENS are suffering everyday, one by one losing their homes, jobs, families, everything to fight over what they allow in the first place? I have exhausted my benefits and it irks me to believe that someone who isn't here legally is getting my benefits, I didn't allow them here and that is what is holding a portion of this up? come on!!!! I have never had unemployment in my life and I am almost homeless, currently getting a divorce, and my only source of income is unemployment. I have applied for any job, every job and job positions that aren't even open. I am educated but that doesn't mean a damn thing when there isn't a job, and when there is a job, well I am overqualified!!! Please someone tell em what to do? I am praying that instead of the Senate fighting over politics that they start looking at the people of our country and who pays their benefits and salaries!!!
From New Britain, CT, 10/29/2009
15 count them 15 years of paying into the system. Then laid off. Hundreds of resumes sent over 18 monthe with not mote then a nibble. And now to be slapped in the face because I and millions alike are struggling and need our state and government to help us out. How dare anyone say that more extensions are only making people want to stay home longer. With some state averaging only $300 a week in benefits and my state a whopping $500 who can live off of that. I say have some compassion and realize what we all are saying (and printing) before we do.
From Roseville, MI, 10/29/2009
After working for GM for ten years and now for over three years at age 35 everywhere I apply no one has called me for a job. So I made this web site http://www.killingusa.com/ Where are all the jobs going?
From Haverhill, MA, 10/29/2009
I'm an Army veteran, 52, have a BS in computer science and have been out of work since Jamuary 2008, after 20 years in the software industry. I notice most job ads require "excellent communication skills". Can anyone say H1B Visa? I haven't even had an interview in months. Come on Mr Employer, hire an AMERICAN!
From Syracuse, NY, 10/29/2009
Well it's about time they got off their duffs and put this through I've been working since I was 13 now try being 57 and looking for a job with Diabetes from exposure to Agent Orange I already have two strikes against me before I walk through the door and with 6 people for every job you might as well say I struck out already, and they say there's no discrimination that's a load of crap. I need this extension and so does everyone that loss jobs because of the Bush Vendetta. Please I beg of you in fact you should give us more than 20 weeks because we'll be back here again at the end of these weeks doing the same thing with no relief in sight.
From Jersey City, NJ, 10/29/2009
i wish NPR and other media outlets were doing more stories on this bill and the republican obstructionism that seems to be holding it up. it's really appalling. i can't find a job and have no money coming in. the little savings i have in the bank will be exhausted in another month and a half while the republicans keep playing politics with the bill. the media seems unable to cover it because they only like stories where both parties look bad. here's a story where the republicans are clearly the bad guys and most of the mainstream media won't touch it. what liberal media are conservatives talking about? if the media were really all that liberal, they'd be all over this and making the republicans look bad.
From Staten Island, NY, 10/29/2009
I am in total agreement with Mr. Jackson. I too am a first time user of any kind of assistance, in particular unemployment insurance. I say vote the whole Congress out of office and let them see first hand how it feels to be unemployed and not able to pay bills. I am certain they all will relish being homeless.
From conyers, GA, 10/29/2009
try being without a job after working for 45 years and being a first time user of enemploment
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