.Four GOP state senators from Missouri may block jobless aid for thousands

[Judi Lynn]

.Four GOP state senators from Missouri may block jobless aid for thousands
March 31st, 2011 10:07 am ET
Ryan Witt Political Buzz Examiner

In the state of Missouri a bipartisan measure to extend jobless benefits now seems doomed because of a filibuster by four Republican state senators. As Virginia Young of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports, the bill in question would allow thousands of Missourians to keep receiving unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks, beyond the current authorization of 79 weeks. The 99 week limit has now become fairly typical throughout the country, though advocates for the jobless say even that time period is too short given the poor labor market. However, in Missouri, even 99 weeks is too long for four GOP state senators. What is extraordinary about the bill in Missouri is that the GOP state senators will not be saving any money for the state through their obstruction. The $105 million tab for the extension would be paid by the federal government, not the state of Missouri, yet the four GOP state senators still say they want to send a message and "shame the federal government into doing the right thing."

The bill to extend the benefits is actually supported by Missouri Senate's Republican leaders and it is obviously supported by the Democratic representatives in the state. The bill passed 123-14 in the Republican-dominated Missouri House. However, the Missouri Senate has a long tradition respecting the right to filibuster, allowing these four Republican state senators to effectively block a bill that has strong bipartisan support.

In her article, Young quotes the Missouri Department of Labor as saying over 34,000 Missourians may be affected if the extension of benefits is not approved. The Republicans justify the move by arguing that unemployment benefits discourage people from getting work, and that the benefits are costing the taxpayers' money.

What the "Missouri Four" may fail to recognize is that the jobless actually pay for their own benefits while they are employed. In addition, in order to keep receiving jobless benefits an unemployed person must prove that they have applied for jobs they are qualified for and been turned down. Finally, statistics seem to debunk the argument that the jobless are choosing not to get a job. According to the federal Labor Department, there is currently only one job for every four unemployed people in America.

http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-national/four-gop-state-senators-from-missouri-filibuster-block-jobless-aid-for-thousands

[xmas74]

1. Will Kraus is part of that.

His name seems to pop up for crap like this.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Check out the email Nieves sent:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x797219

[xmas74]

3. That's a doozy. nt