Legislation to renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed has cleared an initial Senate hurdle, but the bill’s fate remains in doubt.
The vote Tuesday was 60-37 to limit debate on the legislation, with a half-dozen Republicans siding with the Democrats.
At the same time, Senate Republicans served notice they would attempt to change the measure so the $6.4 billion cost would not add to deficits — a step that Democrats have so far rejected.
As drafted, the bill would restore between 14 weeks and 47 weeks of benefits averaging $256 weekly to an estimated 1.3 million long-term jobless who were affected when the program expired Dec. 28. Without action by Congress, thousands more each week would feel the impact as their state-funded benefits expire, generally after 26 weeks.
(AP)
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One Response
Long term unemployed should be welfare recipients – which makes them a state issue. If after a prolonged period of time they should accept lower paying jobs, or be prepared to be considered a welfare recipient not an unemployed worker. If they want to reduce unemployment, they should lower the minimum wage and reduce taxes that encourage employers to substitute automation and foreign outsourcing for hiring American workers.