Odds slim for extension of jobless benefits

[Omaha Steve]

Source: OWH-NYT

WASHINGTON — Unless Congress acts, during the last week of December an estimated 1.3 million people will lose access to an emergency program providing them with additional weeks of jobless benefits. An additional 850,000 will be denied benefits in the first quarter of 2014.

Congressional Democrats and the White House, pointing to the sluggish recovery and the still-high jobless rate, are pushing to again extend the period covered by the unemployment insurance program. But with Congress still far from a budget deal and still struggling to find alternatives to the $1 trillion in long-term cuts known as sequestration, lawmakers say the chances of an extension before Congress adjourns in two weeks are slim.

As a result, one of the largest stimulus measures passed during the recession is likely to come to an end, and jobless workers in many states are likely to receive considerably fewer weeks of benefits.

In all, as many as 4.8 million people could be affected by expiring unemployment benefits through 2014, estimated Gene Sperling, President Barack Obama’s top economic adviser.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20131119/MONEY/131118691/1697#odds-slim-for-extension-of-jobless-benefits

[groundloop]

1. Fucking stupid... every last penny of that money would come right back into the economy

I guess the damned GOPers figure those lazy unemployed people have built up their stock portfolios, 401Ks, and offshore accounts at taxpayer expense all this time and that needs to end. The bastards put the screws to people who are unemployed through no fault of their own (I've unfortunately been in that boat), but they sure the hell won't cut out one aircraft carrier, or even a single solitary F35 that we don't need.

edit to add: Obviously the economy is progressing too well to suit the GOPers and they'll do anything they possibly can to undermine it (and too bad if a few million Americans who happen to be hurting get in their way).

[Kelvin Mace]

2. So, the economy will begin to tank in 2014

and the GOP will gleefully blame the Dems.