Extension of jobless benefits clears GOP roadblock

[babylonsister]

Extension of jobless benefits clears GOP roadblock

By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats in the Senate won an initial skirmish Monday to restore unemployment benefits to hundreds of thousands of jobless people despite Republican criticism that it would add $9 billion to the nation's debt.

The 60-34 vote killed a GOP filibuster against debating the measure, which would extend jobless benefits through May 5 along with short-term extensions of several other lapsed programs.

Senators in both parties blamed each other for allowing the programs to lapse last week, leaving several hundred thousand people who have been out of work for more than six months without federally financed benefits averaging $335 a week.

Republicans blocked the measure last month. Monday's vote buys time while House-Senate talks continue on a far larger measure to extend them through the end of the year.

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_UNEMPLOYMENT_INSURANCE?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[tonysam]

1. Big Whoop.

The battle will start all over again when the filing deadlines end May 5, which is close to the time my Tier III runs out.

Then we are going to go through this shit all over again.

[babylonsister]

4. Could be a 'big whoop' for many thousands of people who need it. nt

[tonysam]

5. It doesn't do any good for the millions who run out if Congress doesn't get its act together. n/t

[louis-t]

2. Hmm, maybe if stupidface hadn't allowed $9 bil

to go missing in Iraq.....

[Dr Morbius]

3. I wonder how many Republicans will bring up the debt...

...when the time comes and Mr. Bush's tax cuts expire. Because helping the unemployed get through the next few months adds a tiny bit to the national debt, but these tax cuts have added trillions.

The GOP is pretending this is new spending, and really, it's not. It's keeping up with the financial recovery of a nation, and something which should have been (and probably was) long anticipated.

[tonysam]

6. They make me puke.

The GOP created this mess of deficits, yet they pretend to be the party of fiscal responsibility. Their hypocrisy is astounding.

[Johonny]

7. none

They claim the tax cut stimulated the economy and thus generate more tax income. Indeed Bushes economic adviser basically kept making this claim all through the 2004 campaign. The same old trickle down lie. The tax cuts paid for themselves in the long run because it would cause the economy to grow faster and thus create more income. It didn't, it never does long term. But that doesn't stop them from believing it. Basically if you ARE a Republican these days, it is because you believe this is true. Thus the Republicans will not have to defend the tax cuts to their likely voters ever.

[Turbineguy]

8. Grammer Police Alert!

"GOP roadblock" is a tautology.:evilgrin: