Senate Reaches Deal on Unemployment Extension

[babylonsister]

http://washingtonindependent.com/82452/senate-reaches-deal-on-unemployment-extension

Senate Reaches Deal on Unemployment Extension
By Mike Lillis 4/15/10 5:13 PM


They’ve been stalled on it for weeks, but tonight the Senate will vote on final passage of legislation providing a short-term extension of emergency unemployment benefits.

Republicans, behind Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.), have been fighting the $18 billion proposal because the Democrats didn’t offset the cost with spending cuts elsewhere. But the office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said this evening that Democrats have rallied a few Republicans behind the bill, leading Coburn to agree to tonight’s vote on final passage.

The bill extends the filing deadline for UI benefits through June 2 (retroactive to April 5), allowing those who have exhausted their 26 weeks of state benefits to access emergency federal help. It does not, however, create an additional tier of benefits for those who have exhausted everything they’re eligible for.

Aside from the UI provision, the bill also extends COBRA health benefits and delays a scheduled 21 percent pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients.

After passage in the Senate, the bill will move to the House, where lawmakers are expected to pass it quickly. It then moves to Obama’s desk to become law.

[JNelson6563]

1. Great news for our long suffering brothers & sisters out there!

Of course jobs would be better but this is better than nothing!


Julie

[Arkana]

2. Since the Senate can't order the private sector to hire people,

I'll take this.

[NoNothing]

5. They could order a public-works agency to hire people

Why don't they?

[Raineyb]

7. Because their corporate masters wouldn't like it. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Good news!

K&R

[Donnachaidh]

4. If the government is so short of money they can't pay UI -- tell the SENATE

To take an immediate 25% pay cut to provide the funds - and then have Congress and others do the same.

Wonder if these a-holes would be so piddly about funding the poor if THEY had to take a cut?

[Change Happens]

6. For how long is the Medicare cuts delay? also one only month?