Senate Jobless Redux
Instead of Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), insert the name of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). Change the date when extended jobless payments start running out from February 28 to April 5. Add water and stir up another political battle over unemployment benefits in the U.S. Senate.
Yes, it was just over three weeks ago that Bunning became a household name, as the cantankerous Kentucky Republican stood almost alone on the Senate floor, demanding that Democrats find a way to pay for another $9-$10 billion in extended jobless and COBRA benefits for the unemployed.
The crux of the argument remains the same. Republicans - now led by Sen. Coburn - want the extra benefits paid for.
"You see it is easy to spend other people's money," said Coburn on the Senate floor. "Especially if you're sitting up here with a good pension, drawing a good salary."
Democrats were more than happy to substitute Coburn's name for Bunning's and churn out another round of press releases attcking the GOP for denying benefits to unemployed Americans.
"I just can't believe - again - that Republicans are playing with people's lives," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
"They obviously don't understand what it's like for somebody who already lost their job."
When the Senate adjourned on Thursday night, it seemed like Senators were heading for the exits, and that this battle would not be resolved until after the Senate comes back to work the week of April 12.
That means, benefits will start expiring for some jobless Americans on April 5, and it may take much of the next week to get the matter resolved.
While Bunning folded earlier this month, it won't surprise me one bit if Coburn keeps this fight going, and forces Democrats to go through every procedural hoop to extend the benefits by declaring them an emergency and just adding the extra spending to the deficit.
"The head of the Finance Committee said it would add $9.2 billion to the debt," Coburn said of the extra benefits.
"So given the fact that it will add to the debt, rather than us make hard choices, I object," as the Oklahoma Republican blocked all action on the benefits extension.
Look for Democrats to hype this story over the two week Easter break.
Yes, it was just over three weeks ago that Bunning became a household name, as the cantankerous Kentucky Republican stood almost alone on the Senate floor, demanding that Democrats find a way to pay for another $9-$10 billion in extended jobless and COBRA benefits for the unemployed.
The crux of the argument remains the same. Republicans - now led by Sen. Coburn - want the extra benefits paid for.
"You see it is easy to spend other people's money," said Coburn on the Senate floor. "Especially if you're sitting up here with a good pension, drawing a good salary."
Democrats were more than happy to substitute Coburn's name for Bunning's and churn out another round of press releases attcking the GOP for denying benefits to unemployed Americans.
"I just can't believe - again - that Republicans are playing with people's lives," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).
"They obviously don't understand what it's like for somebody who already lost their job."
When the Senate adjourned on Thursday night, it seemed like Senators were heading for the exits, and that this battle would not be resolved until after the Senate comes back to work the week of April 12.
That means, benefits will start expiring for some jobless Americans on April 5, and it may take much of the next week to get the matter resolved.
While Bunning folded earlier this month, it won't surprise me one bit if Coburn keeps this fight going, and forces Democrats to go through every procedural hoop to extend the benefits by declaring them an emergency and just adding the extra spending to the deficit.
"The head of the Finance Committee said it would add $9.2 billion to the debt," Coburn said of the extra benefits.
"So given the fact that it will add to the debt, rather than us make hard choices, I object," as the Oklahoma Republican blocked all action on the benefits extension.
Look for Democrats to hype this story over the two week Easter break.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4 comments Add your comment
Gorf
March 26th, 2010
1:01 pm
I’m sorry Mr. Dupree you failed to mention that those who have exhausted their tier 4 benefits are done. I didn’t get the 99 weeks and mine expired in February. The bill signed on March 3 only extended funding for those currently in a tier. Since then hundreds of thousands have lost theirs. Unemployment has gone up and few jobs have been created, which means more and more people competing for each job. And as I found out, if you have years of experience and a degree you are overqualified for 90% of job offers out there.
scherl
March 26th, 2010
3:02 pm
Fire them all next election…for being so irresponsible enough to go on vacation!!!
NEXT ELECTION – REPLACE EVERY SENATOR and EVERY HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE – NO MATTER THE PARTY – PUT THEM ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINES!!!!! JUST LIKE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!
We may be homeless but we’ll have great Friggin healthcare!!
tired of BS
March 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
American People – Next election stand up and be heard – FIRE THEM ALL – EVERY last congressman no matter the party – How many years have you paid taxes? Your government bails out bankers, wall street execs using your tax dollars – but unemployment is allowed to expire? Congress approves paying everyone BUT you with your own money!!! How utterly irresponsible is it of your congressmen play these delaying games and then to go on vacation when without bothering to address how you will put food on your table? Next election – let Congress feel the sting of the unemployment lines!!!
Steve
April 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
Please continue to cover the unemployed Americans. There are going to be 100,00-300,000 Floridians that will no longer collect unemployment due to their tier 4 ending. Imagine being able to provide for your family for the past 14-18 months due to your unemployment claim. Now imagine that your unemployment benifit has ended because there is no tier 5 or a longer extension of your tier 4. How far would you go to provide for your family? Robbery, severe violence due to not being able to provide for your family. Or even worse child abuse or negelect due to the stressful inability to provide. Guess what eveyone it’s going to happen and it already is. It will not be sudden as if 300,000 people took to the streets reaking havoc. The media outlets are going to be so busy covering all of the tragic stories. By the time it peaks in 2 years we will already be conditioned to it. Please understand that this will effect ever single American. Imagine 10MILLION Americans without any unemployment assistance. If only 1% of these desperate Americans turn to criminal activity to care for their family, well you do the math. Not a good situation for any American. Please report the severe need for a Tier 5 or an ajustment to the Tier 4. I fear that within a few weeks my state of Florida is going to be a very violent place to be and I fear for my family too as my unemployment benifits Tier 4 will be exhausted by April 13. If we do not get the help of the major media networks we will get no results. As you know election time is comming soon. The networks will cover that, so let’s start covering the unemployment or we will be living in a violent violent country.
Thank You For Your Time,
Unemployed American