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

back to Blog

ARE YOU JEALOUS OF TNTS EFFORT IN THIS MATTER
THIS IS A BLOG BELLA HELLO
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT EXTENSION EUC UPDATE TODAY MARCH 17, 2014; VOTE ON LONG TERM UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE A PRIORITY Posted on | March 17, 2014 | 17 Comments EUC unemployment benefit extension news review for long term unemployed today March 17, 2014: The Senate is expected to bring a plan to extend unemployment benefits for millions up for a vote and the measure is expected to find the support needed to pass through the Senate. 60 votes are needed, and expected at this time, in the Senate for the measure to pass. The current plan that awaits vote was created by 10 Senators, 5 of which are Republicans. Since 55 members of the Senate are Democrat and 5 Republicans helped to create the unemployment plan that is coming up for vote, the required 60 votes should be a sure thing. Approximately 2 million Americans are currently living day to day without long term unemployment insurance and many have been struggling without federal aid since December 28, 2013. The current plan to be voted on is expected to reinstate long term unemployment benefits for five months. The plan is expected to be retroactive, meaning that it will be backdated to when long term unemployment originally expired in December. If the current extension plan passes the Senate, it will then have to pass the House to be signed into law. Concerns though are on the rise that the legislation will have a difficult time passing the House. For now, millions will hold onto hope that the measure efficiently passes the Senate. The vote will not happen this week however since lawmakers are currently on recess. The Senate majority leader said that the long term unemployment plan will be a top priority once the lawmakers return next week. ABOVE IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF YOUR EUC EXTENSION. MAD AS HELL, BOEHNER IS NOW YOIR PROBLEM. SMH. IGNORANCE HURTS, SIR/MA'AM AND WE KNOW YOU AND TNT ARE ONE AND THE SAME. YOU CLUTTER THIS CAUSE WITH BAD TRAFFIC NOT REALLY CONTRIBUTING.
And both you, Mad as Hell and TNT still evade the subject of the petition. All your posts towards me are personal nonsense not directly dealing with the issue. Please stop trolling and really, sign the freaking petition for Boehner.
We have urged, and continue to ask, all bloggers to sign any/and all petitions in association with EUC.
BELLA I PERSONALLY HAVE SIGNED THE PETITION AND THIS IS A FORUM TO SHARE IDEAS AND HARDSHIPS. THERE ARE NO ATTACKS ON YOU. NO NEED TO BE DEFENSIVE BELLA YOU SOUND LIKE A DISGRUNTLED REPUBLICAN JUST SAYIN!!!!
I HAVE JUST FINISHED WRITING TO ALL OF THESE SENATORS PLUS BONER..PLUS OBAMA. AGAIN...AND FOR BELLA...............YOU HAVE NO CLUE HOW HARD WE FEW OUT OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO DO BITCH AND MOAN HAVE BEEN WORKING OURSELVES DAILY AND INTO THE NIGHT..CALLING..WRITING..FAXING..EMAILING AND TWITTERING ALL OF THESE CONGRESS MEMBERS..SENATE MEMBERS...PRES OBAMA..NOT TO MENTION LOCAL NEWS MEDIA..NEWSPAPERS..NATL NEWS STATIONS..FB..EVERY AVENUE WE CAN COME UP WITH...WE HAVE ALSO SIGNED EVERY PETITION OUT THERE..MANY TIMES EACH...SO PLEASE DO NOT COME ON THIS CONSTRUCTIVE BLOG FOR WE THE PEOPLE ...BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT FOR WE THE PEOPLE ...YOU ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT YOU...YOU THE PERSON...NOT..WE THE PEOPLE...SO TAKE YOUR PESSIMISM AND FLY AWAY.....WE ARE A FAMILY OF STRENGTH AND WHEN ONE OF OURS ARE ATTACKED..WE WILL DEFEND...YOU WILL NOT DIVIDE US.................SO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HELP THE MILLIONS....
Then your efforts should be concentrated on Boehner now, if you aren't current and updated on your info.
I'm a working American who came here to sign the petition for the benefits to be extended for you unemployed Americans. I have a brother who served in the military, but since you disgruntled, horrid, unemployed individuals only clutter this forum with your nonsense, I am withdrawing my support for you guys. Good luck. I hope your hostile stand gets you somewhere when Boner fails the bipartisan agreement.
House of Representatives Minority Leader Senator Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is still trying to get House to sign discharge petition to bypass Speaker of the House Senator John Boehner (R-OH). Call Senator Pelosi with support: (202) 225-4965 Call Senator Boehner to pass EUC/allow vote: (202) 225-0600