Unemployment Benefits Extension: 2010 Updates

The unemployment benefits extension 2010 bill will be brought to a vote later on today.  At 2:15 pm EDT, Carte Goodwin will be sworn in as interim Senator from West Virginia .  He is the replacement for the late Robert Byrd, who died before being able to vote on the measure the last time it was brought to the floor.

With the advent of Carte Goodwin, it appears as if the measure will have the votes necessary for passage. This is assuming that Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins stay on-board as the only politicians in their party approving the bill.

The extension is needed.  There are literally millions of Americans in need of some type of relief – either through jobs or through unemployment checks.  There are over 8.6 Americans who are considered long term unemployed.  Even though 313,000 jobs were added to the payrolls in June, that’s hardly a drop in the bucket considering these figures.

President Barack Obama is on the side of those who need to find work. He said during his weekly address: It's time to stop holding workers laid off in this recession hostage to Washington politics. It's time to do what's right. Not for the next election, but for the middle class”

The true test will be to see what happens today.  Carte Goodwin will be sworn in, and then the Senate can get to their business of trying to pass an extension.   Fasten your seatbelt, folks – it’s going to be an interesting day!

Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics

2010 Unemployment Extension - Benefits Bill Passes in Days?

2010 Unemployment Extension bill could pass in days.  The unemployment extension 2010 bill is expected to pass soon. Benefits Bill Passes in Days. The benefits bill for the unemployment extension 2010 is expected to pass within days, according to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.  The extension of unemployment benefits would only allow those long term unemployed to file for the emergency extensions previously enacted.  It doesn't add to the existing structure.

It also doesn't allow those states previously ineligible for the third or fourth tiers eligible.  Everything stays in line with the current legislation, which is still better than the current 26 week maximum that is in place even when times are good.

Many have expressed their frustration with the system, noting how the Financial Reform bill was pushed through Congress yet there's reluctance and disagreement over a measure that will help Americans.  It doesn't make much sense to constituents who put their trust in their Senators and are let down time and time again.

Hopefully by the end of next week, Robert Gibbs will be correct and the Senate will have passed the measure. Then, Obama can sign the bill into law and people will be able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that at least their bare essentials will be covered by their unemployment check.

In the meantime, the unemployed are being resourceful to meet their needs. Food stamps, HUD vouchers, 401(k) withdrawals, garage sales, and selling personal affects on eBay are all ways families are trying to get by.  Some teenagers who are lucky enough to get employed by fast food restaurants are contributing to the family fund, rather than spending the money on lattes and shoes at the mall.

July 19th or Monday is the earliest that the unemployment bill will be brought to a vote.  Many are holding on to hope that this time it will pass.

2010 Unemployment Extension Available Soon? Politics behind Unemployment Extension Senate Vote

Will the 2010 unemployment benefits extension be available? Another senate vote regarding the unemployment extension 2010 could happen sometime this week.  The politics behind the bill is a little convoluted, but many are hoping that the measure will FINALLY pass and that people can go back to finding jobs without having to worry about how they are going to pay the bills.

The benefits extension measure is in a gridlock, as Democrats and Republicans neither one can determine how they will pay for the bill. Democrats want to "add it to the tab", and also pay for the measure by increasing taxes on small businesses, oil companies, and investment fund managers.

Republicans want to pay for it out of unused stimulus funds, citing that some of the tax hikes in the Democrats' desired bill could actually end up stifling job growth and increasing costs for hardworking and honest Americans.

Only a couple Republicans are voting for the bill, and both of them are from Maine.  Olympia Snow and Susan Collins are moderate Republicans who know the bill needs to pass.

Senator Ben Nelson from Nebraska is the sole Democrat that has voted AGAINST the bill.  If he voted with the rest of his party, they measure would have the 60 votes needed to pass.  Instead, he's against the extension (likely because his state would only benefit from 2 of the 4 tiers of benefits and they have a less than 5% unemployment rate in Nebraska) and won't budge.

The Senators that are stopping the droves of unemployed individuals will be remembered during the mid-term elections later this year.  Still yet, Republicans are sticking their ground.  Hopefully the vote doesn't lose any more Senators before Robert Byrd's replacement can be sworn in!

2010 Unemployment Extension as America Waits, Unemployed Fall Behind

The 2010 unemployment extension hasn't been passed, and the unemployed are falling more and more behind in their bills.  Why? They don't have unemployment checks coming in.  Ever since June 2, 2010 those who are falling off their current tiers of unemployment benefits aren't having any more funds coming in.

Of course, if the unemployment extension does pass, it will likely be retroactive meaning that they will receive a lump sum of funds to help them through hard times.  However the key word is IF they will pass the extension - it still hasn't happened yet.

Early next week, the late Robert Byrd will be replaced by the governor of West Virginia, and it's expected that the new interim Senator will vote for the passage of the bill, which means that the much needed extension of benefits will finally pass.

It's important to side with caution.  It's very possible that the benefits extension won't pass - again.  Only one vote is needed to pass, and anything could happen in terms of Senators changing sides.

The unemployment extension only gives those within the former tiers 1-4 an extension of time to file for benefits.  It doesn't extend the current potential 99 weeks of benefits any further.  There are many who need a fifth tier of unemployment benefits, but so far there haven't been any talks about extending the benefits any further than they already are.

In reality, there's little chance that a Tier 5 extension will be passed, unless something happens with the economy and the unemployment situation worsens. However, those seeking a Tier 5 extension shouldn't give up the fight, as doing so would ensure that no extension would be passed.

2010 Unemployment Extension and a Political Unemployment Benefits Bill Blame Game

The 2010 unemployment extension is the hot political topic of the day.  The unemployment extension 2010 benefits bill has led to a political blame game that is really taking over Capital Hill.  Of course, you have Republicans blaming Democrats and vice versa but there are some key players that are getting blamed for the mess.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid voted against the unemployment extension.  Before you get up in arms, it was because he has to vote against a failing measure if he wants it to be able to be brought back up.  The final vote of 58-38 represents an actual vote of 59-38, as Reid is for the bill.

However, Reid is getting blamed for the failure to pass the bill.  A Republican Senator offered to vote for the bill if compromises were made.  Among the compromises was to have at least half the bill paid for via unused stimulus funds. Reid didn't make any compromises.

The standoff isn't over the issue of unemployment extensions - it's over funding.  Republicans don't want the tax hikes that will affect small businesses and investment fund managers - they also don't want to add to deficit spending.

Democrats want to fund the measure using deficit spending and tax hikes.  The tax hikes include requiring certain S-Corporations to pay self employment taxes on 100% of their taxable income - not just owner draws.  It also increases taxation of investment fund managers and oil companies.

Once a replacement for Robert Byrd is found, it's said that the measure will pass.  Until then,  Americans will be sitting back waiting to see what is going on and if the unemployment extension will ever pass.

2010 Unemployment Extension Benefits Bill And July 4th Celebrations

Although the 2010 unemployment extension benefits bill didn't pass, and the unemployment extension 2010 of benefits won't happen until at least when the Senate reconvenes after their holiday the unemployed should still try to celebrate Independence Day.

After all, it's unfortunate the bill didn't pass, but it's not a reason to let YOUR holiday be ruined.  It's hard to put your worries aside, but with a little thought and creativity you could possibly have the best Independence Celebration of your life. Here's a thought on how.

Gather all your unemployed friends together.  Have everyone bring a dish - this way you can have one big meal that didn't cost any one person a considerable amount of money.

Come armed with your laptops, air cards, cell phones, printers, paper, envelopes, and stamps,  Celebrate your right to freedom by bombarding your Senators with letters, emails, and voicemails about the unemployment extension.

Thank your lucky stars that you live in a country where you can do this without repercussions. There are some countries out there where you would be in big trouble for speaking your mind to a government official.  In America we have a right to think and a right to be ticked off.

After you are satisfied with the amount of mail you have produced for your representatives, spend the rest of the time helping each other apply for jobs. Help each other spruce up your resumes.

IF you really want to go all out, have everyone bring some of their career clothes that don't fit any more or that you are tired of.  Have a clothing swap to help each other get a new career wardrobe.

All this may sound silly to some, but without the unemployment benefits extension many people are at a loss on the Fourth of July weekend.  Use your anger, discontent, and other negative feelings and try to spin them into something positive.

Here are some inspirational July 4th quotes.

2010 Unemployment Extension Benefits Bill, Sharron Angle, and Harry Reid

The 2010 unemployment extension benefits bill has not passed.  The unemployment benefits extension is a hot political debate, especially in the state of Nevada.  Currently, the Silver State has 14% unemployment and they most recently surpassed Michigan as the state with the highest unemployment totals.  It comes as no surprise that during the next election, the unemployment benefits extension bill will be a hot topic.

Sharron Angle is the Republican candidate for the Nevada Senate seat.  She is a tea party favorite, and she's made a lot of headlines since winning the Primaries for the mid-term election.

Angle was recently quoted as calling the unemployed "spoiled" much to the dismay of ... well, the unemployed and all those that back helping the unemployed. These are not wise words for a politician seeking election in the state with the highest unemployment level in the country (but at least she was honestly speaking her mind and not giving us smoke and mirrors on her views...)

Recently, she "clarified" the statement - but instead of softening her remarks she further indicated that unemployment benefits should be cut to the point where it's hard to live on them, forcing the unemployed to find work.

Obviously Angle hasn't been job hunting recently.

On the other side, Harry Reid - the Democratic Senator and Senate Majority Leader from Nevada is for the passage of the unemployment benefits bill.  He's tried several times to bring the vote to the Senate floor and has tried to block the Republicans' attempts at filibusters.

Angle's stance on the unemployed and unemployment benefits extension may very well be the proverbial nail in the coffin this election year. Unemployed individuals even from other states are outraged by her remarks, and believe that her stance shows how ill-informed she is about the situation in the country today.

On the other hand, her supporters rally behind her, sick and tired of the government adding to the deficit spending all the time.