Prospects for Unemployment & COBRA Extensions - Part 2 (receive, state, hearing)

[diorgirl]

Originally Posted by Rlukas79

I'm also expecting that if they can't hammer out a deal by midweek serious considerations for a 30 day fix will come out. Again, these are my personal opinions.

Originally Posted by Sharecropper

I think there are other bills to be heard that extend for shorter time periods than 4213. Another 30-day may pass before this November one. But it does seem like nothing is going to happen anytime soon.

Just before the Memorial Day recess while HR 4213 was still stalled in the House, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced that he was preparing a stand-alone bill to extend eligibility cut-off dates of federal unemployment benefits for 30 days -- as an alternative to HR 4213.

The cost of the Republican bill would be offset by unspent discretionary funds from the stimulus bill.

Senate GOP preparing alternative extenders bill offset by cuts to stimulus - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

This is probably still a possibility in lieu of the Senate's passage of HR 4213 -- assuming they can line up enough members of both chambers to vote for Grassley's bill.

[Rlukas79]

something will get done, what it will entail is anyone's guess. Congress literally has no juice to not extend them, last months jobs numbers were a mess. And now many economist are raising the double dip term again. Next month 90% of all the census workers are to be laid off indefinitly and will raise the unemployment rate again back into the 10% category. You aren't stoping extensions at 10% unemployment, I dont care who is arguing about spending.

[TruckDriver33]

The writer of this article has Senator Reid working on HR4213 today. Thought for sure he wouldn't start working on it until late in the week, drag it on.

The Week Ahead: Big primary night; key week for Reid to push energy bill - TheHill.com

[Jane0218]

Originally Posted by diorgirl

TheHill.com has reported that, according to a Democratic aide, although the Senate reconvenes Monday afternoon, leadership has not yet decided when to begin consideration of HR 4213 -- which extends the eligibility cut-off dates for federal unemployment benefits through November 2010. This is because there does not appear to be enough votes in the Senate to pass the measure as-is.

If the Senate amends the bill, it would have to go back to the House for another vote. HR 4213 passed the House by a narrow margin of only 11 votes before the Memorial Day recess -- so it's unclear if the House would pass it again with changes by the Senate.

Senate expected to take up extenders next week - The Hill's On The Money
Don't expect quick Senate vote on federal unemployment benefit extension | - Latest Michigan Jobs & Career Opportunities - MLive.com

diorgirl,
Thanks for starting a new thread and for the update.

[Jane0218]

Well, the Senate will convene at 2PM. At 4:30 PM they will "proceed to executive session to consider nominations."

Does that mean they will "consider" which bills to "consider"? (Where is the "sarcastic" smilie---I need it!)

[Jane0218]

diorgirl,

re: this topic, do you know where we could find out what's left in HR 4213, after the House changed it in May and then passed a modified version of it?

Thanks if you can assist.

Jane

[diorgirl]

Originally Posted by Jane0218

diorgirl,

re: this topic, do you know where we could find out what's left in HR 4213, after the House changed it in May and then passed a modified version of it?

Thanks if you can assist.

Jane

The Library of Congress provides a text search of bills -- among other things -- at its THOMAS location: Search Bill Summary & Status - 111th Congress - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

You just type in the number or key word/phrase in the title of a bill, and it will locate the official text, status, etc. for you. Unfortunately, the system does not allow you to bookmark or link specific bills -- so you have to go through the portal each time.

Usually within 24 hours after a bill is assigned a number and formally introduced in Congress, the text will appear in THOMAS. Subsequent revisions, amendments, and congressional actions are usually added overnight.

[diorgirl]

Originally Posted by Jane0218

re: this topic, do you know where we could find out what's left in HR 4213, after the House changed it in May and then passed a modified version of it?

Just FYI, the extended terms of federal unemployment benefits provided by HR 4213 as passed by the House in May 2010 are:

(1) EUC Tiers program - extends the eligibility cut-off dates for the EUC Tier program through November 30, 2010. Those already collecting a Tier at the time of the November eligibility cut-off would be allowed to exhaust that Tier. Accordingly, HR 4213 provides for the EUC program to continue making those payments through April 30, 2011.

(2) EB - extends the 100% federal funding of EB through November 2010. Some states discontinue EB when the 100% federal funding expires; other states will resume the traditional funding split and will continue to provide EB.

(3) Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) - extends eligibility for FAC payments (additional $25 per week) to those filing a new claim by November 30, 2010; also extends the payment of the FAC to April 30, 2011.

(4) COBRA premium subsidy - proposed extension dropped from HR 4213; previous eligibility deadline stands: only those terminated on or before May 31, 2010, may be eligible for the COBRA premium subsidy. This does not affect those who have already qualified for the subsidy; people currently receiving the subsidy would remain eligible for up to a total of 15 months.

[LAID OFF & WORRIED N GA]

If any of you guys haven't seen this thread you need to see it. Go there and vote. Send others that you know to do the same.

should the senate pass the unemployment extension bill this week?

[shamrox311]

Gee, I wonder if the 9 who voted "No" have ever been unemployed and struggled to make ends meet?