Rightfully yours

July 19, 2010: Lawmakers battled for weeks over extending unemployment benefits to workers who have been unemployed for more than six months. The previous extension expired on June 2, leaving about 2.5 million people without benefits.

The House had passed a bill extending their benefits through November 2010.  However, with the recent death of Sen. Robert Byrd, Senate Democrats didn’t have the 60 votes they needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.

President Obama said lawmakers’ obligation to extend benefits is both moral and practical, citing some economists who believe extending unemployment insurance is one of the most cost-effective ways to jump-start the economy because it puts money in the pockets of people who are likely to spend it quickly.

The $34 billion needed to extend benefits would be borrowed, adding to the nation’s mounting debt. Republicans said they would only support extending benefits if the bill were paid for. 

Republicans have tuned into the issue of voter’s concern over debt and deficit and are looking to gain favor with them in the upcoming election. 

Republican leaders say they’re happy to vote, as long as they get a chance to change the bill to their liking.

This is an example of how Republicans are simply against anything proposed by Democrats.  In issues past, Republicans have often said they would rather increase debt than taxes.  With this issue, they are changing again, just to slow any Democratic progress.

~~~~~

July 22, 2010:  Update. 

President Obama signed into law today a restoration of benefits for people who have been out of work for 26 weeks or more after Congress approved the measure earlier in the day. 

The lump-sum retroactive payments will be delivered in the next week or two to state-issued debit cards or beneficiary bank accounts.

The Senate approved the bill on July 21 after Democrats agreed to break off the unemployment benefits from a larger jobs bill targeting $24 billion to help state governments slow layoffs and cut taxes, and provide a health insurance subsidy for the unemployed. 

After it became a standalone bill, the unemployment benefits enlisted support from Republican Maine moderates Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe.  The 60^th vote was cast by Senator Robert Byrd’s replacement, Carte Goodwin (R-WV). 

All Republican Senators except the two Maine moderates voted against the unemployment benefits again as a unified bloc. 

Less than a day later, the unemployment benefits bill was sent to the House where it was passed 272-152 with the help of 31 Republicans crossing party lines and sent to the president for his signature. 

Earlier this year, Republicans twice allowed temporary unemployment measures to pass without asking for a roll call vote, but debt and deficits are becoming issues with voters, and Republicans looking for reelection are looking to win favor with them. 

After signing the bill into law, the president said in a statement, “Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times.”