Extension of jobless benefits heads to House

[Ruby the Liberal]

Source: MarketWatch.com

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- An extension of jobless benefits and a popular tax credit for home buyers heads to the House of Representatives on Thursday, with quick passage expected after the Senate overwhelmingly cleared the measure Wednesday night.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office says a vote will be around 2 or 3 p.m. Eastern.

Senators voted 98-0 on Wednesday evening to approve a bill that would extend jobless benefits in all states for 14 weeks, and for up to 20 weeks in states where the unemployment rate exceeds 8.5%.

Read more: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/extension-of-jobless-benefits-heads-to-house-2009-11-05

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Finally!

[Love Bug]

1. *breathes huge sigh of relief*

I'm sure many unemployed are happy today over this development. Too bad the Rs held this up for weeks but at least it's passed.

[bluestateguy]

2. Good for the economy

Unemployment benefits go right back into the economy: groceries, and other necessities, etc.

[robinlynne]

3. seems to me that unemployment could be tackled at the same time we

tackle the greening of america. Why not low paying jobs which make the country better? planting community vegetable gardens, cleaning plastic out of the ocean, teaching people cpr and basic health care to help in their communities. sort of like americorps. I know there is a fantastic summer program for youth to learn how to protect the land in parks, etc. why not extend it all year round? or unemployed people could work in soup kitchens, feeding the poor. there are so many important things to do, and so many people needing work. Even if we're talking minimum wage, it would still be work, meaningful work which would actually make our country better and teach skills that people can use forever.. I think that would be so much better than giving money to the private sector to employ more people. a WPA with a different goal, instead of building and construction, feeding people, or greening our country....

this is not a direct reply to this Op, but to yesterday's about the bill to give private companies money so they might hire people.

[tonysam]

5. Because people can't pay the bills on crappy wages, that's why.

We need living wage jobs, not condescending nonsense about we unemployed people getting "skills" that make us feel "better" instead of being bums collecting UI.

A LOT of us have skills, hell, some of us were and are professionals, and would be way overqualified for the nonsense you are spewing.

I don't want to "feel good" about "helping" people. I want something that I can pay the bills, have a little bit left over, and be able to retire at 62, just seven years away.

BTW, AmeriCorps is swamped with applicants. I tried that route.

[robinlynne]

6. condescending nonsense? I'm suggesting expanding Americorps. And that makes

you angry? ok have it your way. they are giving the money to the private sector. I hope that makes you happy. I don't see how that will help unemployment at all.

[tonysam]

4. Why do the media lie about the legislation passing "overwhelmingly"

in the Senate when it was unanimous, 98-0?