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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Good Morning Vietnam! Give 'em heck this week! Let them know we are a united front! Call, email, fax, and use social media to let the politicians know: "This isn't funny, we want OUR money!" Please pass the EUC benefits NOW! From the Center Dor Effective Government!
Here is the list of Senators that voted against Extending the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC): *All phone numbers start with (202) 224- Last name, First, Party-State, last four digits of phone number Alexander, Lamar (R-TN) 4944 Ayotte, Kelly (R-NH) 3324 Barraso, John (R-WY) 6441 Blunt, Roy (R-MO) 5721 Boozman, John (R-AR) 4843 Burr, Richard (R-NC) 3154 Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA) 3521 Coats, Daniel (R-IN) 5623 Coburn, Tom (R-OK) 5754 Cockran, Thad (R-MS) 5054 Collins, Susan (R-ME) 2523 Corker, Bob (R-TN) 3344 Cornyn, John (R-TX) 2934 Crapo, Mike (R-ID) 6142 Cruz, Ted (R-TX) 5922 Enzi, Michael (R-WY) 3424 Fischer, Deb (NE) 6551 Flake, Jeff (AZ) 4521 Graham, Lindsey (R-SC) 5972 Grassley, Chuck (R-IA) 3744 Hatch, Orrin (R-UT) 5251 Hoeven, John (R-ND) 2551 Inhofe, James (R-OK) 4721 Isakson, Johnny (R-GA) 3643 Johanns, Mike (R-NE) 4224 Johnson, Ron (R-WI) 5323 Kirk, Mark (R-IL) 2854 Lee, Mike (R-UT) 5444 McCain, John (R-AZ) 2235 McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) 2541 Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK) 6665 Paul, Rand (R-KY) 4343 Poretman, Rob (R-OH) 3353 Risch, James (R-ID) 2752 Rubio, Marco (R-FL) 3041 Scott, Tim (R-SC) 6121 Sessions, Jeff (R-AL) 4124 Shelby, Richard (R-AL) 5744 Thune, John (R-SD) 2321 Toomey, Patrick (R-PA) 4254 Vitter, David (R-LA) 4623 Wicker, Roger (R-MS) 6253 2-Did not vote: Moran, Jerry (R-KS) 6521 Roberts, Pat (R-KS) 4774
I received a prayer for our cause from Joel Osteen Ministries and wanted to share with you: The enemy will expect you to fall apart and give up on your dreams. But when you look adversity in the eye and you're not moved by it, you release your faith and take away its power!
CURRENTLY WE HAVE 199 DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND WE NEED 218 VOTES TO PASS EUC THAT MEANS WE NEED A MININUM OF 20 REPUBLICANS TO VOTE YES. THAT SHOULD BE DOABLE CONSIDERING THAT REPRESENTS LESS THAN 10% OF THEIR PARTY. NO REST FOR THE WICKED MY FELLOW BLOGGERS IT'S HAMMERTIME TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!
TNT ignored the questions why she pushes her own agenda of convening as family here. This is not Facebook, lady. There is still that petition that needs 98,000 votes for it to make the White House put pressure on John Boehner. Here's an excerpt from an article after the Dems and Reps came to an agreement. "This week, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate shared that both parties have come to an agreement which would renew emergency jobless benefits for those that have exceeded the number of weeks, generally 26, of state supported unemployment. The deal is expected to last for five months, meaning it would last through May, and it would be retroactive. Although this word spread on Thursday, the vote will have to wait as the Senate will be off on recess again for a week. Lawmakers will return to work on the 24th of this month and the long term unemployment benefit extension is expected to be a top priority upon their return. News of this agreement is quite positive, but recent word from House Speaker John Boehner is deflating. Boehner reports that the current agreement to extend long term unemployment compensation is not feasible. His opinion is negatively skewed and may be an indicator that the agreement would have difficulty passing the House. An aid to Boehner indicated that the problem may be in the retroactive nature of the compromise. Millions of Americans will follow this closely to determine if the deal will sink or swim in the coming weeks."
Mad as Hell, the 218 votes is only for the discharge petition which is no longer an option. Reed announced he has the Republican votes. They need the house to pass it fir it be a law on the 24th. Meaning, you need John Boehner's vote to pass it into law. SMH. You guys should have signed the petition that Jessica posted, instead of going on and on about convening here and commenting.
I clicked the zip code link, I signed the petition for the White House to put pressure on Boehner, I wrote John Boehner, (received a response, actually) and I signed Adam's petition to the Speaker of the House. And I am working. Have you guys done that? Instead of "convening" here as family "bloggers", why not use that time and mitchin and boanin to actually sign and meet that petition number? When the petition reaches 100,000 votes, it becomes White House priority.
BELLA 218 REPRESENTS 50% PLUS 1 IN ORDER FOR ANG LEGISLATION TO PASS
YOU COULDN'T BE MORE WRONG ON TNT
THERE ARE 435 VOTES IN THE HOUSE BELLA THAT IS WHY 218 IS REQUIRED