Unemployment Benefits Run Out for 1.3 Million Jobless

Pajamas Media ^ | 12/28/2013 | Rick Moran

[SeekAndFind]

Extended jobless benefits ran out on Saturday for 1.3 million of the long-term unemployed, and Democrats are looking to make political hay out of the issue.

Democrats and some Republicans are working on a three-month extension of benefits that would be the first order of business when Congress returns in January. The bill would add $6 billion to the deficit unless offset by spending cuts elsewhere.

The fate of the bill is uncertain in the House. Speaker Boehner hasn’t said he would oppose an extension, but it’s probable that a majority of Republicans would not vote for one unless there were offsets included in the bill.

The Hill reports:

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) ratcheted up pressure on Republicans wary of another extension. In a statement issued Friday, she called the pending expiration “immoral,” and blamed GOP lawmakers for allowing it to happen.

“Starting tomorrow, too many American families will face the New Year with uncertainty, insecurity, and instability as a result of congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend critical unemployment insurance,” she said. “The first item on Congress’ agenda in the New Year must be an extension of unemployment insurance. That must be our priority on day one.”

House Democrats cried foul when the two-year budget deal was unveiled without an extension included, but many ultimately supported the package. Senate Democrats and the White House also backed the budget, vowing to address the unemployment issue soon but separately.

Democrats have buttressed their arguments with polling that shows steady public support for another extension and that Republicans could pay at the polls for opposing it. A poll from left-leaning Public Policy Polling (PPP) released earlier this week found that in four key swing districts, as well as the home district of Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), voters support an extension by 63 to 38 percent.

Democrats are also working to play up the impact back home on local media, highlighting how many people in their hometowns could be losing assistance.

“When the American people get involved and speak out, we are going to win this fight, and I believe that that is what’s going to happen,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a liberal who caucuses with Democrats, on MSNBC this week.

Some Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), have said they would oppose another extension. They argue that policymakers should be focused on creating more jobs rather than providing more assistance, especially as the economy continues to recover.

And other GOP lawmakers have remained noncommittal on the idea of an extension, but are clearly concerned about the cost. Boehner and other Republicans have not said explicitly that they would oppose renewing the benefits, but, at the same time, they want to see the costs offset by spending cuts elsewhere.

Democrats rebut that demand by arguing the extension of benefits is actually an economic boon. Pelosi and others point to analysis that shows an extension would allow the unemployed to continue pumping money into the economy, driving economic growth and job creation.

The problem for Republicans is that they are probably right on policy but wrong on the politics. Of course it’s better to encourage actual job creation. But what about the claim — one trotted out every time extended unemployment benefits are being debated — that benefits to the unemployed grow the economy?

[TwelveOfTwenty]

Bring back American jobs. Jobs. Americans need jobs, not free money, which isn’t “free” at all.

But how, how, how?

The only way to bring jobs back is to make it profitable to make products here. How? By buying them.

But American made products cost more? When you factor the money that could be paying for our military and veterans' benefits that is instead paying for China's, the money lost in unemployment benefits, and the tax payers who are paying their taxes in other countries rather than here, that $.25 you save on a foreign made note pad doesn't sound like such a bargain.

Having said this, I won't fault anyone for refusing to buy a UAW built car.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

Most manufacturing jobs in the US have been lost to automation, not to other countries.

Good point. I understand that a factory that used to employ 2,000 before leaving the country, is coming back but will only need 100 employees now.

Still, I would prefer those 100 and that technology reside here.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Bingo.

The situation has dramatically changed this year, with China becoming the largest manufacturing exporter on the planet.

China presents a huge challenge to America.

Most Americans are still worried about unions. Yet send jobs which should be done right here, to communists in China.

That is beyond silly.

With China now exporting more than America, that becomes being an active part of the problem.

Stop being a part of the problem.

Americans need to work. Bring back American jobs.

[Hojczyk]

They went overseas because of the Government and all the paper work..ect….big problem the EPA….Intel was never going to build a plant overseas til the EPA started after the chip makers…lots of chemicals ..

[kabar]

It is time we get out of the era of tribal politics.

Demography is destiny. Non-Hispanic whites are declining and minorities, as defined by the USG, are increasing, thanks to immigration and birthrates. Immigrants and minorities vote two to one Dem.

The non-Hispanic white population is projected to peak in 2024, at 199.6 million, up from 197.8 million in 2012. Unlike other race or ethnic groups, however, its population is projected to slowly decrease, falling by nearly 20.6 million from 2024 to 2060.

Meanwhile, the Hispanic population would more than double, from 53.3 million in 2012 to 128.8 million in 2060. Consequently, by the end of the period, nearly one in three U.S. residents would be Hispanic, up from about one in six today.

The black population is expected to increase from 41.2 million to 61.8 million over the same period. Its share of the total population would rise slightly, from 13.1 percent in 2012 to 14.7 percent in 2060.

The Asian population is projected to more than double, from 15.9 million in 2012 to 34.4 million in 2060, with its share of nation's total population climbing from 5.1 percent to 8.2 percent in the same period.

Among the remaining race groups, American Indians and Alaska Natives would increase by more than half from now to 2060, from 3.9 million to 6.3 million, with their share of the total population edging up from 1.2 percent to 1.5 percent. The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population is expected to nearly double, from 706,000 to 1.4 million. The number of people who identify themselves as being of two or more races is projected to more than triple, from 7.5 million to 26.7 million over the same period.

The U.S. is projected to become a majority-minority nation for the first time in 2043. While the non-Hispanic white population will remain the largest single group, no group will make up a majority.

All in all, minorities, now 37 percent of the U.S. population, are projected to comprise 57 percent of the population in 2060. (Minorities consist of all but the single-race, non-Hispanic white population.) The total minority population would more than double, from 116.2 million to 241.3 million over the period.

[Seruzawa]

Them too. No more secret ballots for financial issues. Those who vote for programs get to pay for them directly. That would change voting habits overnight.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

They went overseas because of the Government and all the paper work.

I understand that, but when you're in the hardware store and you have to choose between a foreign made paintbrush or one made in the USA, you have the choice of whether those jobs stay here, and whether your money funds the Chinese military or ours.

[nascarnation]

My wife took a big hit on her SocSec via that law.
So I’m very familiar with the specifics.