House Republicans Oppose Democratic Drive To Renew Unemployment Benefits

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans controlling the House oppose a drive by Democrats to renew jobless benefits averaging less than $300 a week nationwide for the long-term unemployed, a senior GOP lawmaker said Tuesday.

"I don't see much appetite on our side for continuing this extension of benefits," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. "I just don't."

Benefits for 1.3 million long-term unemployed people expire just three days after Christmas. Lawmakers say another 1.9 million people would miss out on the benefits in the first six months of next year.

Democrats are pressing for legislation continuing a program in place since 2008 that gives federally paid benefits to jobless people after their 26 weeks of state benefits run out. Federal benefits have typically been offered during periods of high unemployment, though fewer weeks of extended jobless benefits are available than in previous years. The unemployment rate is averaging 7.3 percent nationwide.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/03/house-republicans-unemployment-benefits_n_4380190.html

[Warpy]

1. Of course they do.

They love America but they despise all the people who live here.

[LongTomH]

2. These people are heartless!

Cut SNAP assistance to starve the working poor. Refuse expansion of Medicaid.

I'd compare them to Ebeneezer Scrooge; but, the whole theme of A Christmas Carol was Scrooge's redemption. I don't hold out much hope for today's Republicans.

[Sand Wind]

3. "I don't see much appetite..."

Am I the only one to see there a kind of repressed feeling of culpability ? Or is it me who is repressing my wish to give them the whip ?

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. Wow ...

I was thinking the same thing ... it certainly is in poor taste (get it?) to talk about your appetite when discussing depriving someone the opportunity to eat!

[Populist_Prole]

4. Water is wet

All the wetter since the thugs are still smarting from the drubbing they got over the shutdown.

[Cha]

5. I hope the people who are affected by the republi-cons lack of appetite

to help those in need and everyone else who gives a damn GETS OUT and CLEANS HOUSE In 2014!!

[blkmusclmachine]

6. GOP to Americans: Go f/ck yourselves. We got ours, and that's all that matters.

[MissMillie]

7. No UI benefits, no jobs bill

They are just plain determined to shut down the economy and take down the middle class in the process.

[leftyohiolib]

8. there is an ad on this page about potus lowering re-fi reqs and the ad has a monkey dancing acrossed

it

[happyfunball]

10. They probably want to save the money in case their rich friends need it

Maybe if we had a law mandating unlimited unemployment benefits so long as unemployment exceeded a set threshold, Republicans would work to pass legislation promoting employment,.

[lark]

11. Repugs are traitors to the 99%

Not one penny for the unemployed who lost their jobs because of big business malfeasance, but can't touch any tax subsidies for multi billion dollar companies - the oil subsidies and GE paying no income tax a number of years in a row are a good example. They won't even take away the tax subsidies that incentivize US companies moving jobs overseas. Fucking traitors!

[Filibuster Harry]

12. Why is this shocking news? i have a relative who lost her job and her benefits are about to

expire. She has been turned down for numerous jobs since; she was indeed looking but couldn't get one. She has a daughter going to college and now she was diagnosed with cancer 2 months ago. Thanks Rs.
Hey Tom Cole are you and your R party going to pay for her expenses -- college, food, living, etc.
Yeah, you care about us !!! DAMN YOU!!!