Republican filibuster no longer stops unemployment benefits extension from passing

The issue of unemployment benefits was being filibustered by Republicans and was finally stopped on Tuesday. About 2 million Americans have run out of jobless benefits since legislation stalled at the end of May. The U.S. unemployment rate is stuck at 9.5 percent. Five times more people than there are jobs available are nevertheless looking for jobs. Democrats think the economy will do better with longer unemployment benefits. If you ask republicans, they say nobody will want to search for work with the benefits. Resource for this article – Unemployment benefits extension freed from Republican filibuster by Personal Money Store by Personal Money Store.

Unemployment benefits escape Republican filibuster

60-40 was voted by Senate to stop the filibuster by Republicans on unemployment benefits. The vote took place minutes after Carte Goodwin was sworn in as the new Democratic senator from West Virginia to replace the late Robert C. Byrd. Rather than allowing final consideration, Republicans delayed the vote making Democrats angry, despite the vote had already gone through, reports the New York Times. Republicans argue that Democrats only wanted to extend unemployment benefits since the plan to create jobs and lower the unemployment rate failed.

Through November, unemployment benefits extend

The legislation extends unemployment benefits through November and retroactively covers individuals whose benefits have expired. USA Today reports the House could pass the bill Wednesday and send it to President Obama for signing. Republicans want to help lower unemployment rates but think the $ 33.9 billion bill shouldn’t be placed into action unless the budget can be balanced nevertheless with cuts elsewhere. Obama believes that Republicans are just putting spending “on the backs of the unemployed” instead of trying to cut taxes for the wealthy.

Unemployment benefits help build the economy back up

The Congressional Budget Office says extending jobless benefits, which average nearly $ 310 a week, is the most efficient way for government policymakers to stimulate a weak economy. Unemployment benefits will end up going towards things like rent where it is a basic necessity. The CBO reports that 70 cent sis put into $ 1.90 for each dollar spent on benefits to help the economy.

Vote on unemployment makes political divide worse

Republicans are more unwilling to help Obama govern the country after all of his personal involvement in passing the unemployment extension. According to the Los Angeles Times, the political divide in congress got stronger after Tuesdays Senate vote making anything before November’s elections extremely hard to pass. Democrats still plan on putting full efforts into job creation.

Politics playing with unemployed Americans

Democrats are hoping job creation and economic recovery is right around the corner with November elections nearing. Republicans are trying to sabotage any Democratic achievements at all costs, in hopes that a fragile economy will improve their chances to regain control of Congress.

Citations

New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/07/21/us/politics/21jobs.html?ref=us
USA Today
usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2010-07-21-1Ajobless21_ST_N.htm
Los Angeles Times
articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/20/nation/la-na-jobless-20100721