Unemployment benefits likely on hold until mid-December

[Joanne98]

Source: The Hill

Unemployed workers whose federal jobless benefits began lapsing Wednesday will probably have to wait until mid-December for them to restart while congressional lawmakers iron out a deal.

With House and Senate leaders aiming for a Dec. 17 adjournment, the most likely scenario during the lame-duck session is for lawmakers to complete the extension of unemployment benefits as part of a larger legislative package, such as a measure dealing with the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts, shortly before the 111th Congress leaves town for the last time, sources tell The Hill.

On Wednesday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) panned a possible deal that would link the stalled extension of unemployment benefits to a compromise on expiring tax cuts.


"I believe that passing unemployment insurance is a moral imperative, not a political deal," Hoyer told reporters Wednesday. "We have millions of American families who are without the resources to have any confidence they can put food on the table the next day, pay their rent, get gasoline in their car so they can go looking for a job."



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/801-economy/131455-unemployment-benefits-likely-on-hold-until-mid-december

[prolesunited]

1. What they don't get is that these people have NO MONEY!

If they are on extended benefits, they probably have exhausted their resources by now. Even if it passes and is retroactive, it takes weeks to get the system restarted and the checks back out. How are you supposed to pay your bills or buy food? If you don't have anyone to loan you money, they you are set even farther back with late payment fees, utility reconnection fees or increased charges.

They have no idea of the hell so many people are living.

[No Elephants]

2. 99ers

[Imajika]

4. Aren't the 99ers basically screwed?

I don't think this UI extension they are talking about covers the 99ers at all.

Pretty sure it will just extend UI to 99 weeks for those still eligible.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Merry Christmas from the GOP!

and a homeless New Year.

[booksenkatz]

5. OK, I'm sure the jobless can hold off on eating or paying the heat bills until then. NT

[katty]

6. WHY wait?! Mid December? then open up bread/soup lines

now!

[PeaceNikki]

7. Dear Scott Brown,

Fuck off.

<3,
PeaceNikki