Reid:Hopes Unemployment-Benefits Bill Passes Senate Thursday

[tonysam]

Source: NASDAQ

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he hoped the Senate could pass an extension of federal unemployment benefits Thursday.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Reid said that he believed there would be plenty of opportunity for both Democrats and Republicans to bring forward amendments to the legislation.

The Senate bill would extend benefits for 14 weeks for all out-of-work Americans and a further six weeks for unemployed people in states with jobless rates higher than 8.5% over a three-month period.

Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200910221040dowjonesdjonline000746&title=reidhopes-unemployment-benefits-bill-passes-senate-thursday

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Wow, fine good it does. Then it's going to be what, two or three more weeks before the thing becomes law? If I get screwed out of my state extended benefits, I am done for.

[tonysam]

1. I'll believe it when I see it n/t

[berni_mccoy]

2. What a flip-flop. Just yesterday he said he was tabling it until after the HCR bill.

[tonysam]

4. That health care reform bill is NOT vital

--REPEAT--NOT fucking vital when millions of people are risking homelessness.

I know HCR is very popular here and on the blogs, but it is a luxury to people like me who don't have ANY money at all to buy food or pay the rent.

HCR is NOT important compared to EUI.

[No Elephants]

15. thing is, it never needed to be either or. I hope things look up for you. Best wishes.

[KansDem]

3. "Hopes?" Reid "hopes" this will pass?

He really doesn't inspire much confidence, does he?

[njlib]

5. No, he doesn't

Can he be "demoted" after the mid-terms, if we keep our majority?

[KansDem]

9. Well, I guess we can always "hope" so...

I'd like to see a real fighter in there...Al Franken comes to mind, but there are many others that could lead decivisely...

[No Elephants]

16. He may not be around at all after midterms. His seat has been looking iffy for a while.

I believe we'll keep our majority, but we may not see sixty again.

[tonysam]

6. Related article on "cloture," which is a bullshit Senate procedure

that gives the minority a way to screw people over:

Reid: Cloture vote on unemployment insurance by day's end

Snip:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) stressed Thursday he hoped to advance a bill that would extend unemployment insurance to its next stage by the day's end.

Both Democrats and Republicans would have ample opportunity before the legislation is due for its cloture vote this afternoon to shape the legislation and debate a "finite" list of amendments, Reid added during his speech.

"That is so important; millions of people in America today... their unemployment benefits have run out," Reid stressed during morning business.

"I have had conversations with my Republican colleagues, and they want some amendments," the majority leader added. "I see no reason we can't have a reasonable number of amendments on each side, and complete the legislation today."

[Stumbler]

7. When can we get a new Senate majority leader? He's so disappointing

Harry Reid has proven himself to be an ineffective, spineless leader who cowers to the slightest shade of opposition. I want a fighter like Grayson, but he's in the House. So how about Franken? He's knowledgeable about the issues, passionate for what he fights for, and has a nice, sharp wit that can cut through GOP talking points while making nice sound bites at the same time.

[No Elephants]

17. When Democratic Senators elect someone other than Reid, or when Reid ceases to be a Senator.

[Dulcinea]

8. Make it happen!

Don't just HOPE! Your fellow Americans need this money to survive.

[mvd]

10. I think we just got a great talking point for 2010 and beyond

"In a severe recession, the Republican Party tried to obstruct benefits for those out of work."

[mojowork_n]

11. This would add only one more week to what the House passed...

Last week the House passed a 13 week bill, this is a 14 week bill.

...Is there that much of a difference, or is there more to this debate?

I know the rules differ from state to state, but is there a guide, or summary, or FAQ, or any other useful summary of "Do's" and "Don't's" for benefit claimants?

I think one of the NEW rules might be -- even if they haven't passed the extension, yet -- keep filing your weekly claims.

[tonysam]

12. It's more than 1 more week

States with less than 8.5-percent unemployment would get the 14 weeks, while states with more would get 20 weeks. A sticking point is how this expanded coverage would be paid.

[tonysam]

13. No news yet on the EUI front

It's getting close to the end of the Senate's 2 1/2-day week.

[tonysam]

14. The answer is here

link


They are worthless. Completely and totally worthless.