Unemployment Benefits Bill Fails In House
The House nowadays failed to pass a stand-alone bill to extend unemployment insurance benefits (H.R. 5618). The final vote was 261-155. 277 votes (a 2/3rds majority of those present and voting) have been required under the suspension of the rules procedure that was employed by the Democrats in order to steer clear of Republican obstruction tactics.
Full roll call details can be found here.
Republicans opposed the bill simply because it’s costs, approximately $34 billion, have been not offset with new income. Because the financial crisis of 2008, Congress has routinely passed UI extension bills without having offsets because benefit payments to help the unemployed are considered “emergency spending” and are not subject to pay-as-you-go guidelines.
The bill that was rejected these days would have extended UI benefit payments, which expired in late May, until November 30, 2010. Without the extension, some 1.7 million unemployed individuals will lose their payment by Jul 3. Benefits for that unemployed will continue to run out at a rate of about 200,000 per week till an extension is signed into law.
This leaves Democrats with basically two choices for passing an unemployment insurance extension before the July 4 recess — locate a income offset to pay for the expenses that will pass via both the Senate as well as the House (which might be what Senate Vast majority Leader Harry Reid [D, NV] is talking to Republicans about today on the Senate side), or try again inside the House below normal principles and see if they can overcome Republican dilatory tactics and poison-pills to pass it having a basic majority.
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So do we know when they will be reinstated if at all? I am on UI benefits and for the past 2 weeks, my claim has been considered “disqualified” because of this issue. Just because I don’t have a job right now does not mean I don’t have bills to pay. I think it’s a little shady that they can put a freeze on millions of Americans’ incomes and then go on vacation. But what do they care, right? They have their paychecks whether they go to work or not.
Just wanted to say Im proud to be American and live here. I am unemployed I will probably lose everything but rest assured Im a patriot and will make that sacrafice . My question is for the senators who are screwing with the people in this country is perhaps be careful because there are many people who are not stupid and will glady come foward to testify against you on your contracts with big corporations were your buddy pocketed 300000 on a cemnet contracts or paving a well known company or rubber roofing jobs for millions or election money from corrupt immigartion attorneys who lie to IJ everyday with bogus stories and waste taxpyers money. Be careful for the ones you screw maybe yourselves. Its time to stop lying to the people because when they find out the truth more than 80% of you guys will be investigated by the fbi and irs Im sure the people can find the money to pay for the extenstions and new stimilus package with all the money you pocketed . As for the ones you cut off money from will be on your jury Im sure they willl cut you a break as you did them . So gear up for your next vacation in jail boys . Dont wory the taxpayers wont let you starve we will support you in your time of need . To think that you can push the little guy down any further is insane . So to all you people out there who know of corruption report it and save your country. Be a voice for the silent America will be stronger and this country will never cower there are to many good here and I pray everynite for god to give you brains so you help the American people and if I lose everything so what I will smile inside when I see you guys walking the unemploymnet mile to your cell. I can buy another house get a lesser job and it will all be worth it so my kids dont have to live or be ruled by criminals and that is whta we call people who lie and steal.