OpenCongress Blog

Blog Feed Comments Feed More RSS Feeds

Prospects Dim for Unemployment Insurance Extension

October 11, 2011 - by Donny Shaw

The American Jobs Act contains a provision that would be extremely stimulative in terms of GDP expansion and jobs growth while also providing direct relief to the workers who have been hardest hit by the recession. Yet in discussions over which parts of the bill to keep for inclusion in a smaller, bipartisan package after the American Jobs Act is officially killed (later today), that provision doesn’t seem to be popular.

I’m referring of course to the extension of federal unemployment insurance. Unless Congress acts, on January 1, millions of long-term unemployed workers will begin to lose their benefits. According to National Employment Law Project, 6 million would lose their benefits in 2012, and 2.2 million would lose their benefits by mid-February.

Without action, the length of time a person could receive unemployment insurance benefits would be scaled back dramatically, from the current 99 weeks to just 26 weeks.

In September, the average length of unemployment rose to a record high of 40.5 weeks. Cutting back benefits to 26 weeks would mean the average unemployed person would go nearly four months without any form of income after going six months on the limited income unemployment insurance provides (on average about $300/week, or about 70% of the poverty level for a family of four) . And that would be just the average scenario. For millions of unemployed workers the situation would be much, much worse.

Letting extended unemployment benefits expire could also slow job growth. According to the Congressional Budget Office, every $1 spent on unemployment insurance increases GDP by as much as $1.90. And every $1 million spent on unemployment benefits creates as much as 15 cumulative years of full-time equivalent employment. No other policy options on the table come close to those effects.

Yet, as Politico reported recently, extending unemployment insurance has become a bargaining chip in talks over reducing the deficit and creating jobs. In a report out this morning about provisions from the American Jobs Act that are being discussed for inclusion in a smaller package that could get bipartisan support, extending unemployment insurance is nowhere to be found. WIth very little to no Republican support for extending unemployment insurance on its own, the only chance for an extension is in a larger package with something the Republicans want.

As the 2012 elections approach, Democrats are more likely to fight harder for new stimulus ideas, like the infrastructure bank plan, rather than extensions of existing programs. That might be smart politics, but abandoning extended unemployment insurance is not smart policy and it will hurt millions of unemployed Americans.

Like this post? Stay in touch by following us on Twitter, joining us on Facebook, or by Subscribing with RSS.
taxes Taxes jobs Jobs Unemployment benefits Unemployment Benefits unemployment benefits Unemployment Insurance unemployment insurance 99ers 99er TAXES 99th Congress 99%
 

Comments

  • b58 10/12/2011 4:15am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    I think the Green Groups and the EPA is the ones killing jobs everywhere. They are flushing companies and factories into other countries that don’t have all these made up restictions blocking factories or closing them down. The EPA is looking into dust on ranches and farms so I suppose they will be next to be closed down or fined. These activist groups are killing our country and it needs to be stopped ASAP. We need to get rid of Obama and all his socialist communist Czars and the liberals also.

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment

  • Topyric 12/05/2011 3:39am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Life is too hard now! Unemployment has become a great problem since economic regression began. Many citizens got into money troubles and have to depend on the benefits from the government. And our economic system is looking for its benefits on poverty. For example, they offer us installment loans,which increase citizens’ debts. Hope this boost in Social Security benefits will be helpful.

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment

  • Piri 01/05/2012 6:59am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    The first commentor make a good point. unemployment insurance has always been a consideration for me as well.
    bangkok condos

  • lb5200 01/11/2012 10:55pm
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Upcoming, you must think of concerning the coloring. Louis Vuitton Bags gives numerous colorations with bags so as to generally locate your chosen coloring or maybe this match up the clothes louis vuitton handbags Black is a great option for anyone people that get a universal coloring. Moreover, Louis Vuitton Outlet the suitable width can be an essential conditions. Make sure you locate the one that match up the physique.

    In particular, if you are with small and small prominence,Louis Vuitton Store subsequently a new adorable or maybe small travelling bag could possibly be best for your family.
  • lb5200 01/11/2012 10:57pm
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    For the DJ that loves to help rock out, the Monster Headphones in non colored documents offers optimal sound lady gaga monster headphones quality at a bargain basement price amount. Thick cushions on a parabolic contoured monster headphones in canada ear cups enhance comfort levels, which the swivel within the ear cups lends a Beats by dre to single head monitoring.

    When you invest the surprisingly low $49. 95 to your Skullcandy Hesh DJ headphones, you get incredible sound quality in addition to a handy carrying case. Colossal Beats Studio by Doctor. Dre High Definition Headphones are a great choice for club and facility DJs alike Beats Sale Online.

  • coach2outlet 02/21/2012 7:55pm
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    discount coach handbags, leaders and affordable for the American luxury brand known to create attractive designer coach outlet online store and accessories.The Coach bag is from the latest release of Coach Bags. Its crisp, scribble material, leather handle, perfectly complements the relaxed shape of this stylish pouch. All the items of coach outlet online Store fit all of your essentials and more.

  • coach2outlet 02/22/2012 2:40am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    handbags and purses of coach outlet online are beautiful, classic designs made for sophisticated customers to make an emphatic style statement.coach outlet can provide the coach exactly the same is expected in a retail store. It can help you find bags of various colors, shapes and designs, which prove once again that the coach is actually a selection for the housekeeper.

  • coach2outlet 02/22/2012 4:02am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Louis Vuitton Outlet offers not only the fashion louis vuitton uk, but also many other LV goods. Welcome to visit the LV online store.louis vuitton outlet is really so well-liked and also treasured during the human beings to be a number of high-end, they may realize that the bring up to date might impact their very own laurels signature in the fashion world as well as talk about in your predisposition in their enthusiasts.

  • coach2outlet 02/22/2012 4:02am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Louis Vuitton Outlet offers not only the fashion louis vuitton uk, but also many other LV goods. Welcome to visit the LV online store.louis vuitton outlet is really so well-liked and also treasured during the human beings to be a number of high-end, they may realize that the bring up to date might impact their very own laurels signature in the fashion world as well as talk about in your predisposition in their enthusiasts.

  • coach2outlet 02/22/2012 5:36am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Welcome to visit our louis vuitton outlet, whatever you like, our shop can supply to you.Launched in honor of the 2004 Euro Cup in Portugal, the Attaquant gets its original shape from the soccer ball.Louis Vuitton Sale online offers a big discount on the Mother’s Day. We even offers louis vuitton uk as gifts for the first ten guests who buy our items. We are looking forward to your coming.

  • coach2outlet 02/22/2012 5:55am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Welcome to visit our louis vuitton outlet, whatever you like, our shop can supply to you.Launched in honor of the 2004 Euro Cup in Portugal, the Attaquant gets its original shape from the soccer ball.Louis Vuitton Sale online offers a big discount on the Mother’s Day. We even offers louis vuitton uk as gifts for the first ten guests who buy our items. We are looking forward to your coming.

  • coach2outlet 02/22/2012 8:20am
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Do you have difficulity just finding one headphones bag store around you? Are you desperate for a headphones handbag? Well, then I’ll tell you something about bags in beats by dre.Therefore, we are proud to provide you with highly praised beats bags in our dre beats shop, which come in diverse patterns and rich colors, fabrics.
    dr dre beats can design new and original products that are also functional. So you can rest assured that purchase.beats is one of the most distinguished leather brand all over the world. You can find many wonderful cheap beats headphones on our beats Factory Stores.

  • annex 02/24/2012 2:41pm
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    Thanks to a brilliant effort in publishing your article. One can be more informative as this. There are many things I can know only after reading your wonderful article.
    buy percocet online

  • Spam Comment

  • samieow 04/13/2012 2:48pm
    Link Reply
    + 0
    ↓

    While the film may be intriguing on the surface, the final verdict is that the film is lacking the depth of the films it may remind you of but may still be worth a look if you’re a fan of R-rated action comedies. phone number lookup

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment

  • Spam Comment


Get Blog Updates by Email

Delivered by FeedBurner

Demand Question Time!



Find us at

Want a simple way to stay on top of what's happening in Congress?

Subscribe to this blog!

Send Us a Tip

You can submit a tip anonymously, or attributed to your own name and e-mail, whichever you prefer. Read more about submitting a tip.

Submit a tip




Recent Posts

Archives

See All Archives

Blogroll


See our Twitter List

Congress Watchers

OpenCongress is a free and open-source project of the Participatory Politics Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to increase civic engagement. The non-profit Sunlight Foundation is the Founding and Primary Supporter of OpenCongress.