GOP Blocks Another Attempt to Extend Unemployment Benefits

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In the most under-reported story of the week, the Republican’s have, yet again, screwed over the people who have been hardest hit by the recession. This is the second time this month that the GOP has blocked extending unemployment benefits.

Washington Independent’s Mike Lillis wrote:

Last week, Senate Democratic leaders

rolled out

a proposal to extend unemployment insurance by 14 weeks — with an extra six weeks thrown in for those states where jobless figures have topped 8.5 percent — only to have Republicans block the measure on the chamber floor.

Well, today it happened again.

According to the office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Democrats on Tuesday asked for consent to pass the bill, only to be shot down by GOP leaders.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Republicans aren’t objecting to the extension, but to how it’s funded. (The Democrats’ plan would tap an expiring surtax on businesses, while the Republicans want to use unspent money from the stimulus bill.)

The House has already passed its version of the extension. With unemployment numbers creeping up each month, the pressure’s on the Senate to work out a deal quickly.

The saddest thing about this story is not the story itself (which is disgusting enough), but the comments by regular American people who responded to this story and the desperation some of them are feeling. I have posted the following comments as they were written.

My unemployment benefits ran out in August and I am barely holding on. I am watching daily to see if this bill will be passed. I lost my job and went from a salary of comfortable salary to $450.00 a week.my family and I was able to live off of our saving for a while but now we are dependent on UI benefits. My husband was layed off and we are only surviving on his benefits. We are in jeopardy of losing our home. We’ve already lost both cars and have had to cut our expenses substantially. As the weather changed we are afraid to use our heater and we are bundling up for fear of not being able to pay the bill our heating bill.. . I need the GOP to get off their high horses and live a day in my life. I guess if you haven’t been affected by the economy then you don’t get it. I will just continue to pray.

I wish people would stop playing the blame game, and realize it doesn’t matter who we vote in or out!

And…

well i finally got enough money to buy a little groceries for the kids and the rent never thought i would have to do what i did to get it but necessity out ways legality,all because these ####### aren’t in our shoes, so they can take there sweet time because the crime rate will go up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be nice if the GOP would leave their bubble of knee-jerk obstruction to see real American’s who are suffering. Their lives should not be used as political pawns by a party who wants every opportunity to create a Democratic

.

http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/gop-...yment-benefits/

[peejay 327]

GOP Blocks Another Attempt to Extend Unemployment Benefits

Yes...it's about as 'tarded as the Dems refusal to implement E-Verify to rid the workforce of illegal alien labor when there are tens of millions unemployed American workers suffering.

So...what else is new?

[LordJon 0]

[/indent] It would be nice if the GOP would leave their bubble of knee-jerk obstruction to see real American’s who are suffering. Their lives should not be used as political pawns by a party who wants every opportunity to create a Democratic

.

http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/gop-...yment-benefits/

They can't do that. The poor would be obstructing the view from their large mansions. And who would go fight for their oil?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Did the Democrats lose any of their 60 votes in the Senate? What do they need the GOP for?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Did the Democrats lose any of their 60 votes in the Senate? What do they need the GOP for?

My thoughts exactly. The Dimocrats are such victims. Waah! Waah! Waah!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Did the Democrats lose any of their 60 votes in the Senate? What do they need the GOP for?

Excellent question. Things are normally done by unanimous consent, which means any Senator can block a motion to proceed. The Majority Leader has other means to move things along, including cloture, but that means no other bussiness can be conducted unless the motion to proceed is withdrawn. Even that motion requires unaminous consent, so you see the possibilities are endless.

[LordJon 0]

Did the Democrats lose any of their 60 votes in the Senate? What do they need the GOP for?

Excellent question. Things are normally done by unanimous consent, which means any Senator can block a motion to proceed. The Majority Leader has other means to move things along, including cloture, but that means no other bussiness can be conducted unless the motion to proceed is withdrawn. Even that motion requires unaminous consent, so you see the possibilities are endless.

So that is why US politics hurt my head.

[Niels Bohr 72]

The Republicans are such babies....That's too new....Lets stick to something that works, who cares if it's better or uses less energy.

Edited October 16, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[mawilson 2,133]

Well, when is enough enough?

There's little incentive to get off unemployment benefits and go out and actually look for a job

if the government keeps extending them forever.

Knowing that you've only got enough for 2 or 3 months is a pretty big incentive for most people.

[dalegg 143]

The Republicans are such babies....That's too new....Lets stick to something that works, who cares if it's better or uses less energy.

Are you on the right thread?

[Ban Hammer 12,829]

The Republicans are such babies....That's too new....Lets stick to something that works, who cares if it's better or uses less energy.

Are you on the right thread?

he's on the right something.

[dalegg 143]

The Republicans are such babies....That's too new....Lets stick to something that works, who cares if it's better or uses less energy.

Are you on the right thread?

he's on the right something.

Don't bogart!!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The Republicans are such babies....That's too new....Lets stick to something that works, who cares if it's better or uses less energy.

Are you on the right thread?

he's on the right something.

Don't bogart!!

And, he is probably working on some key component for the new super-duper-wut-hugh-mick-collette. When the lights blink out on the east coast, we will know who did it!