Politics
Obama-backed jobless benefits bill clears Republican roadblock
In doing so, they will help mark the 50th anniversary of Democratic President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” which produced landmark legislation to upgrade healthcare and education and expand economic opportunities.
The Senate bill would extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which ended on December 28 when funding expired, stopping benefits for 1.3 million Americans.
Unless the program is renewed, an additional 2 million are expected to lose their benefits in the first 6 months of this year.
Signed into law in 2008 by Republican President George W. Bush, the program last year provided the jobless an average of US$300 per week for an additional 28 weeks once state benefits ended.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell bashed Democrats for suddenly seeking an extension of the program, noting that “they ignored the issue all of last year” and are only making a concerted effort now that the federal aid has expired.
McConnell also suggested that the cost of extending the benefits be covered by cuts in Obama’s signature healthcare program.
The bill to extend the federal jobless program was offered by Democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Republican Senator Dean Heller of Nevada. Heller and 5 fellow Republicans joined 52 Democrats and 2 independents in voting to advance the bill. Backers may face another roadblock when they move to vote on passage.
