Senate Defeats Unemployment Benefits Extension
Thus afternoon the senate voted to defeat a bill that would extend the 99 weeks of extended unemployment benefits:
The Senate voted 58-40 Thursday on a proposal that would have continued unemployment insurance for three months, just short of the 60 votes needed to end debate.
“I’m beginning to believe there is nothing that will get Republicans to yes,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said. “It’s a ‘no’ vote because they don’t want to extend unemployment insurance.”
“We’re one Republican vote away from restoring benefits to 1.7 million Americans,” Reid said. “There is one Republican vote standing in the way of a lifeline to these 1.7 million people.”
Harry Reid Refuses Republican Amendments
The fact is that Harry Reid doesn’t want to extend unemployment benefits. He knows, just as anyone with a lick of economic sense knows, that extending these benefits only proves to act as an incentive to remain unemployed.
If an individual finds themselves in economic distress, there are any other government programs to avail themselves of – UI is not one of them.
However, Reid ALSO wants the politics of the thing to break his way. So, how does he do this bit of tightrope walking?
Why, he denies all republican amendments:
…the majority leader once again chose to reject our ideas and block action on amendments to improve and pay for this legislation.
And if Reid would allow such amendments:
But even some Republicans inclined to support the program, such as Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana, voted no because they objected to limits Democrats had imposed on their ability to amend the legislation.
No amendments for you!
Though remember the House GOP rule change that wouldn’t allow the Democrats to call for a vote on a clean debt ceiling bill since the Republican leadership was afraid that enough Republicans would join with the Democrats to pass it. So the rule was changed to only allow Cantor to call for a vote. These tactics are common – and done by both parties. It’s part of the legislative game, unfortunately.
Though remember the House GOP rule change that wouldn’t allow the Democrats to call for a vote on a clean debt ceiling bill since the Republican leadership was afraid that enough Republicans would join with the Democrats to pass it. So the rule was changed to only allow Cantor to call for a vote. These tactics are common – and done by both parties.
Oh, to be sure.
However, this post is mostly about the sure to come claim that republicans, once again, filibustered legislation.
That isn’t true – Reid is playing shenanigans with the senate.
Senator Reid will continue to play his games until he loses power.
Those Republicans are so brave to reject a bill they support because they wanted to amend it and couldn’t. Such leadership!
Portman wanted to appear to support the bill in theory but couldn’t vote yes because he’s got bigger plans in 2016. Take a look at his fundraising and ask yourself why he may be making such a big deal about partisanship and not being able to vote yes on a democratic bill.
As for Reid not wanting to extend unemployment insurance, you are simply making things up again. And what are these other government programs that can help offset job-loss short-term costs? Obviously you don’t mean SNAP, because that barely keeps people fed.
Those Republicans are so brave to reject a bill they support because they wanted to amend it and couldn’t. Such leadership!
So, then, what is the problem with opening amendments?
As for Reid not wanting to extend unemployment insurance, you are simply making things up again.
Occam’s Razor.
And what are these other government programs that can help offset job-loss short-term costs? Obviously you don’t mean SNAP, because that barely keeps people fed.
Sure, that’s one. Others include housing assistance. daycare assistance, tax relief and others.
UI benefits are not created to sustain a family for years; they are meant to tide someone over.