Obama Signs Extension of U.S. Unemployment Benefits

[True_Blue]

Source: Business Week

March 3 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama signed a bill reinstating unemployment benefits after Republican Senator Jim Bunning ended his effort to block the measure.

The law extends access to health care benefits for workers who have lost their jobs and helps small business obtain loans, a statement by the White House said.

“During these difficult economic times, supporting American workers, their families and our small businesses must be everyone’s focus,” Obama said in a statement late yesterday, shortly after the Senate’s approval.

The chamber voted 78 to 19 last night in favor of the bill, which the House passed last week. All 19 Senate votes against the measure were cast by Republicans. The bill became law with Obama’s signature.

Read more: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-03/u-s-senate-sends-to-obama-extension-of-unemployment-benefits.html

[Kookaburra]

1. Great, 'cause I was just laid off from my crap job

nt

[True_Blue]

6. I feel for you

I've never had such a hard time finding a job. I hope this shows Americans why we need more Liberal Dems in office especially in this economy.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

9. Sorry; I was laid off in January. Hang in there.

[Yavin4]

16. Laid Off Since March 2009

Just lost out on a contract because of a stupid conflict of interest.

Re-training for a new career field, but it's extremely difficult.

[Dulcinea]

26. Out of work since Feb 2009.

Considering grad school, if I can find a way to pay for it.

[Bicoastal]

2. In your face, Bunning!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Oh, GOOD news.

I am very pleased to hear this.

And the Republicans? The Party of NO.

[Cha]

4. Good! Another reason

I'm so appreciative of who we have working for us.

[Alameda]

5. Great, but it looks like it's just for 30 extra days.....

"The measure extends benefits for the jobless one month, including subsidies to help the unemployed buy health insurance, as well as postpones cuts in Medicare reimbursements in doctors. It also releases highway money, the delay of which forced the Transportation Department to furlough 2,000 employees. The package also extends Medicare physician payments and flood insurance programs."

Others got 2, 3 and 4 extensions. Those who started collecting UI in the last 7 months have not gotten any extension yet...at all...not they will only get an extra 30 days?

At least it's something..............but....ummm?

[bighart]

8. So I wonder what the plan is when this happens again in April.

[Berry Cool]

12. What it means from what I see is this:

Those whose six months of UI benefits were set to expire at the end of March but not by the end of February, who were otherwise ineligible to apply for extended federal benefits at all, are now eligible. Now, as long as they get to the end of their 26 weeks in March, they can apply for extended federal benefits. As it stands, they will be eligible only for Tier 1 (which pays up to 20 weeks), but at least they will be able to get 20 weeks' more compensation. If this hadn't been passed, they would have been SOL when their 26 weeks of state compensation ran out this month.

Those in Tier I of the federal benefits who will run out of them and qualify for Tier 2 this month are also in luck, as they should be able to apply for and be accepted into Tier 2, which gives them another 14 weeks of benefits. Those in Tier 2 who will come to the end of that compensation this month will be able to apply for moving on into Tier 3, which will give them another 13 weeks, and those who have exhausted Tier 3 benefits by March's end will be able to apply for Tier 4, which would give them another six weeks of benefits.

As for those who will not have exhausted their state compensation by the end of March, they're still going to need more extensions to help them get by, or they will be done once their 26 weeks are up. Those who are in Tier 1 now, like me, will see their benefits end after their 20 weeks of Tier 1 fed comp are up (because they won't be able to move into Tier 2). Those in Tier 2 now won't be able to move to Tier 3 once their 14 weeks are up, and those in Tier 3 won't be able to move on to Tier 4 after their 13 weeks are up. We will need more legislation to do that.

[True_Blue]

14. So will this be retro for the people whose benefits expired on Sunday?

[Yavin4]

17. Feb's UE Numbers Will Be Released This Friday, and They Will Be 10%+

With more jobs lost than created. Bottom line is that this economy is still losing jobs, so this whole song and dance about extensions is a cruel joke.

[Psephos]

23. Don't worry, the stimulus package will have everything fixed real soon now. n/t

[Vidar]

7. Great news.

[mvd]

10. Who were the 19 Repukes who voted against this?

They definitely need to be targeted in our ads come election time.

[mvd]

11. Never mind - found it here

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00032

[True_Blue]

13. Thanks for that link! - nt

[Initech]

15. Ha ha fuck you Bunning!

:woohoo:

[Bitwit1234]

18. You know what it is a shame that a lot of you with political know how

can't join together and start a consulting firm or something like that. Or get together and start a small business that doesn't take a lot of start up money to bug the hell out of congress. Wouldn't that kick em in the butt.

[Yavin4]

19. Like All Good Whores, Congress Knows Who Has Cash And Who Doesn't

A bunch of unemployed people will get a polite brush off while the money folks get to have lunch.

[John Kerry VonErich]

20. For those who say "Fuck You Bunning"....

What was the devil deal they made with him? Once again, more than what we hear. I just don't want this at the cost of selling us up the river.

[Kumbricia]

21. We're just going to have to have this fight again in 1 month

By the end of March unemployment extensions will run out again and again, the terrible employment situation in this country will not be better, will maybe be worse.

You can tell Republicans like Bunning and Kyl have already adjusted to the unemployment crisis - they're just lumping in the long-term unemployed with the working poor as, in the Republican playbook, subjects of disdain and criticism. They're trying to make 10% unemployment the New Normal.

[True_Blue]

25. The unemployment queens

I'm sure we'll soon see stories about how they drive corvettes and refuse to take McJobs.

BTW, Welcome to DU :hi:

[videotape]

22. ...........and the deficit keeps rising.

...........and the deficit keeps rising.

[TomCADem]

24. This Is Just A Corporatist, Republican, Right Wing Move!

By giving money to the unemployed, the unemployed will spend that money and buy goods from large corporations. Thus, unemployment benefits are just another huge corporate bailout!


:sarcasm:

KIDDING!

:hide:

Bravo to President Obama and the Democratic Party!