An extension of unemployment benefits for millions of jobless Americans overcame a Republican filibuster in the Senate Tuesday. About 2 million Americans have run out of jobless benefits since legislation stalled at the end of May. The U.S. unemployment rate has been at 9.5 percent for a long time now. Five times more people than there are jobs accessible are nevertheless looking for jobs. Longer unemployment benefits could stimulate the economy according Democrats. People won’t try to find jobs anymore as outlined by Republicans.
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. The New York Times reports that Democrats were mad at Republicans for stalling the extension by their power to delay the vote. Since Democrats didn’t lower the U.S. unemployment rate by creating new jobs, they had to extend unemployment benefits according to Republicans.
November is the new deadline for Unemployment Benefits
Any person who had their benefits expire can be covered by unemployment benefits through November. Wednesday, the House could finish passing the bill and send it on to Obama, according to USA Today. Republicans said they wanted to help lower the U.S. unemployment rate, but only if the bill’s $ 33.9 billion price tag was offset with budget cuts elsewhere. On Monday, Obama accused Republicans of seeking to control federal spending “on the backs of the unemployed” while not demanding a way to pay for extending Bush administration tax cuts 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. Basic needs like gas, food, and rent, are what unemployed benefits end up going to. $ 1 spent on benefits puts 70 cents into $ 1.90 growth, reports the CBO.
Vote on unemployment makes political divide worse
Obama’s personal involvement in passing the unemployment extension has further hardened Republican opposition to virtually any attempt to govern the country. The Los Angeles Times reports that Tuesday’s Senate vote only increased the political divide in Congress and almost assured that any further domestic aid before November will be nearly difficult. Democrats nevertheless plan on putting full efforts into job creation.
Politics playing with unemployed Americans
Since November elections are right around the corner, Democrats want job creation and economic recovery to come out of things such as extended unemployment benefits. 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.
Discover more information on this topic
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
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