Unemployment Extension Update Available: Tier 5 Bill for 99ers S.3706 Blocked By Senate

Breaking Tier 5 99ers unemployment extension bill updates are available. S.3706 the “Americans Want to Work” act has been blocked by the Senate. Yes, that’s right – Senator George Lemieux from Florida (a Republican) has blocked the vote on Senator Debbie Stabenow’s bill.

The Democratic Senator from Michigan, Debbie Stabenow, proposed the Americans Want to Work Act, which would add another 20 weeks of unemployment benefits to the current 99 week availability. However, the 99 weeks will expire starting on November 30, 2010 leaving millions of Americans in limbo.

George LeMeiux cited concerns about whether or not the bill would add to the nation’s looming deficit. However, the GOP has no qualms about extending Bush era tax cuts for the wealthy which will cost our economy billions of dollars over the next 10 years.

Job creation is paramount to turning our economy around. Without the creation of steady jobs, Americans stand little hope of recovering from this economic downturn.

Who is to blame for this mess? Democrats love to blame the Bush Administration, and Republicans love to blame the Obama Administration’s unprecedented stimulus packages. However, it’s the failure of the system created for the people by the people to do what it was meant to do.

November 2nd is right around the corner, and millions will be heading to the polls. The Tier 5 unemployment extension benefits bill S.3706 Americans Want to Work Act is paramount to turning the country’s situation around. Why not pass the bill and let honest American workers head back to work? Be sure to vote for those who support an unemployment extension.

After Jobless Claims Increase by 500000, a Tier 5 Unemployment Extension Needed More

Jobless claims increased by 500,000 this week, and a Tier V unemployment extension is needed now more than ever. There will be more and more people that eclipse the 99 week mark, and with jobs sloughing off the economy faster than ever before the outlook isn't good.

It's not as if they government hasn't bailed out Wall Street, the auto industry and pretty much industry that placed their hand out for cash.  It's not as if we haven't sent billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to other countries.

And it's not like those on Capital Hill haven't benefitted from their offices.  American people who pay taxes would much rather see that money go to their neighbor than into the hands of an irresponsible company.

Still yet, there's no definitive schedule on when a Tier 5 bill will be passed.  There is a bill in both the House and the Senate, and getting politicians on the same page is not going to be an easy task.

While the Senate is out in their home states doing work, it's never been a better time for the unemployed to try to reach them.

Tier 5, 99er Update: Does Another Unemployment Extension Bill Discourage Job Searching?

Tier 5 and 99ers have been in the news. The unemployment extension bill recently introduced by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) provides another 20 weeks of unemployment benefits for states with unemployment rates 7.5% or greater.  There are many questions looming after this, such as does another unemployment extension actually discourage job searchers?

A Harvard economist named Jeff Miron believes just that. He thinks that claims that the extensions stimulate the economy are ridiculous, saying “That money came from the taxpayers, so others in the economy have less money to spend now or in the future.” He goes on to say that the extensions should be stressed because of compassion, not because of any impact that they may or may not have on the economy.

This will make the political fight for a Tier 5 extension all the more difficult. We already know from experience from the original unemployment extension that gaining GOP support will be challenging, given resistance to further deficit spending. Experts claiming that the extension will do little to benefit the economy will negate some of the strongest arguments of the bill’s supporters.

Still, the pleadings for a Tier 5 extension continue. The long term unemployed are fighting for their lives. The question is this: should we throw them a rope or leave them behind?

References: Fox News Politics Blog

Unemployment Benefit Extension Checks: Available? July 2010, Maybe

Unemployment benefit extension checks could become available in July of 2010 for some states.  For instance, the state of Michigan has said that they will have the checks out in their state in about two weeks, as they have amped up their employee base to combat the sudden onslaught of paperwork they will receive in the wake of the benefits extension.

For some states, the wait could be much longer.  It all depends on the agencies that are going through the paperwork, certifying that those who have filed for benefits are, indeed, eligible to receive them.

HR4213 passed, finally, after a GOP lead filibuster was broken last week.  Now, the focus is on getting retroactive benefit checks to those whose benefits lapsed.  Then, the focus will be on trying to pass legislation that will allow those who have exhausted all 99 weeks of benefits available to have access to a longer lifeline.

A Tier 5 unemployment extension is the only way that some American families will stay out of poverty. Such legislation hasn't been suggested officially, but many are hoping that a measure will be brought up for politicians to review.

Of course, funding such a bill would be difficult. Given that the benefits extension bill was hard to pass at $34 billion, figuring out how to fund a new level of checks would be a challenge.