Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Compromise in the Senate

A bipartisan plan has been laid out to extend emergency unemployment benefits for five months, according to a press release made public by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI).

With a crucial amount of Republican support, the legislation will likely be approved by the Senate, which is expected to vote on the bill during the week of March 24. The following Republicans have joined Democrats to support the bill: Dean Heller (D-NV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Rob Portman (R-OH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mark Kirk (R-IL). If you are from these states, please thank them.

As a part of the Senate compromise, the unemployment insurance program will be extended in exchange for cost savings and policy changes elsewhere, which pay for the approximately $10 billion in unemployment benefits:

The Senate deal came as a surprise to some in Washington, with The Washington Post reporting “Unemployment insurance is back from the dead”. In reality, there was always at least one group of people for whom the unemployment extension demand never “died” – the hard-pressed Americans hurt by the expiration of this vital program, as well as their families and communities.

Advocates for extending emergency unemployment benefits have been engaged, persistent, and active. But this is only half the battle. It is unclear whether House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) will allow a retroactive extension of emergency unemployment benefits. Stick with this and keep the pressure on.

The following are resources to make sure politicians continue to hear your voice on emergency unemployment compensation (EUC):

  • Enter your zip code here, and you’ll be directed to a letter put together by the Half in Ten campaign urging your representative to support the unemployment extension when the issue comes up in the House.
  • Call your representative using this number, provided by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME): 877-363-6141.
  • Sign a petition to the White House, bringing the president’s attention to the issue and prompting a response, here. More than a thousand of you have signed in the last two days.
  • Sign MoveOn.org’s petition to restore emergency unemployment insurance here.
  • Share your story via our web form here, which we will share with representatives and journalists to highlight the urgency of renewing unemployment insurance.
  • Join our Google Group to share stories and resources with others who are either unemployed or passionate about the issue.
  • Find addresses, phone numbers, and contact information for federal and elected officials here.
  • Stay in touch with the Center for Effective Government by signing up for our e-mail updates and action alerts here.

 

 

EDITOR'S NOTE (3/19/14):

Good afternoon, everyone,

I would like to take a moment and respond to concerns raised regarding this post.

The Center for Effective Government has discussed and looked into reports of harassment and spamming in the comments sections of this post. While looking into such complaints, it has been brought to my attention that certain comments were temporarily taken down for review.

In the interest of ensuring this space remain a safe place for individuals to share their experiences, opinions, and perspectives, we will be monitoring this blog especially closely now to ensure those interested in respectfully contributing to the discussion around emergency unemployment benefits are safe.

I look forward to supporting you all in continuing this important dialogue.

Best,

- J

 

The stories shared by our readers have deeply moved us. Click the button below to view our "Emergency Unemployment Benefits Stories Page". We've featured stories from those impacted by the expiration of emergency unemployment benefits, as well as a counter reflecting the number of Americans impacted.

 

 

For Further Reading:

Emergency Unemployment Benefits Are Not ForgottenThe Fine Print blog, Feb. 26, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Ways to Take ActionThe Fine Print blog, March 6, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Time to Petition the GovernmentThe Fine Print blog, March 12, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Compromise in the SenateThe Fine Print blog, March 14, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Boehner Signals Reluctance in the HouseThe Fine Printblog, March 21, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits Extension Clears First Hurdle in the SenateThe Fine Printblog, March 28, 2014

Extending Emergency Unemployment: Senate Finally Expected to Vote to Extend Benefits   and Rush through Corporate Tax CutsThe Fine Print blog, April 2, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits Bill Passes the Senate, Increasing Pressure on the HouseThe Fine Print blog, April 8, 2014

Stories of Americans Cut Off of Emergency Unemployment CompensationGovernment Matters, April 22, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Extension Expected to Take Back Seat to Tax ExtendersThe Fine Print blog, April 25, 2014

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Speaker of the House John Boehner: (202) 225-0600 He also has a facebook page!
2 MONTHS BEHIND ON MORTGAGE CAR BROKE DOWN NO TRANSPORTATION INTERNET OFF 2ND EXTENSION ON LIGHTS...WON'T BE A 3RD 2ND EXTENSION ON WATER...WON'T BE A 3RD HOPEFULLY I CAN KEEP CELL ON TIL THIS PASSES PLEASE PASS THIS EXTENSION WITH RETRO. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SO FAR BEHIND IT WILL BE PUT RIGHT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY BUT I DOUBT IT'LL BE ENOUGH TO COVER ALL BILLS I'M BEHIND ON. I ASK YOU AGAIN REPUBLICANS...PLEASE PASS THIS EXTENSION WITH RETRO!
These Republican Senators have referred to EUC benefits as "hand-outs." Paul Rand (KY): (202) 224-4343 Mitch McConnell (KY): (202) 224-2541 Let them know that hands have fingers that vote in November!
EXCELLENT! Anonymous (2:08pm) WELCOME ABOARD! WE APPRECIATE YOUR HONESTY; You've ALREADY ESTABLISHED THE PROPER (RESPECTFUL) TONE; TO EFFECTIVELY UNITE WITH US! HERE YOU"LL FIND THAT "WE ARE A UNITED FAMILY!" RESPECT AND DETERMINATION IS OUR BEST "FAMILY CHARACTERISTIC". AGAIN, WELCOME... ***UNITED WE STAND!*** Tat'
HA' ANONYMOUS( 10:07am ) EXCELLENT!... YOU LAID IT ALL OUT! YOUR MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR! YOUR MESSAGE; IS OUR MESSAGE! " WHEN ONE OF US IS HURTING; WE ALL HURT!.." We ARE SURVIVORS!... UNITED WE HAVE STOOD, AND UNITED (IN THIS CAUSE) WE'LL REMAIN!" ..... ***WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!***
NOW DON'T QUOTE ME ON THIS: My cousin works for one of the TWC in Texas. She says probably what's going to happen is pretty much everyone will get their retro when they call in. Then it will be up to states to enforce the rules and stipulations. She said basically once the Federal Government release the funds to states it will be out of their hands. Kinda like see no evil...hear no evil.
DON'T DO IT. DO NOT SUPPORT ANY so-called BI-Partisan LEGISLATION to help the so-called (using months not YEARS as their yardstick) LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED. We are just letting them reinforce the misconception that it's OUR FAULT and that there are plenty of jobs. We need JOBS not BAND-AIDS. They are screwing over ALL workers for a short-term fix. They are planning to hurt working peoples' pensions and FORCE the so-called long-term unemployed to get SKILLS training to qualify. This is BOGUS! Corporations are winning again and using politicians to screw US ALL OVER. Read the BILL!!!
99er: 11:15 there are jobs out there. You just don't wanna work for $10.00 Get off your lazy ass and take the job that's offered. Alot of you just holding out for that job that's paying what you were making when you got layed off or whatever. What you gone do sit on unemployment forever?
Get off your lazy ass and work for minimum wage! If you all put as much time into looking for work as much as you're on this site you'd be working! Quit your whining and begging and get a pair. Only the strong survive weaklings.
Your right I am a Supervisor...no one uses Foreman anymore Bums. I wouldnt hire any of your lazy ass. Keep on wanting a handout. This will be your last one. After this they won't pass another extension. Yeah you all keep sticking together and be jobless.