Posted on 03/19/2014 3:02:50 PM PDT by cotton1706
Updated 5:34 p.m. | The top authors of the bipartisan Senate unemployment insurance extension bill defended their work after Speaker John A. Boehner torched it Wednesday.
Sens. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., who represent the two states with the highest unemployment rates in the nation, each issued statements to Roll Call defending the proposal and decrying people trying to find excuses not to pass it.
“Since December, Senator Reed and I have been working to get these vital benefits to the millions of unemployed Americans who need them,” Heller said in an email sent from his office. “It is extremely disappointing that, no matter what solution is reached, there is some excuse to deny these much-needed benefits. I look forward to passing this proposal out of the Senate next week, and stand ready to help the Speaker, as well as any organization or any individual necessary, in order to make this extension a reality.”
Boehner slammed the unemployment bill earlier Wednesday, saying it failed to meet his test of being fiscally responsible and adding jobs. The Ohio Republican cited a letter from state unemployment officials warning about the bureaucratic requirements of the legislation potentially delaying implementation for months to suggest the bill is “unworkable.”
Reed, meanwhile, called for quick action.
“I agree that time is of the essence and if the House tries to drag this out, it will make it tougher for states to get this needed assistance out the door and into hands of job seekers,” Reed said in a statement. “The fact remains that Congress has passed retroactive [benefits] several times and this legislation can be implemented. …
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.rollcall.com ...
The Republican Party completely sucks at controlling the narrative.
“Sen. Dean Heller, one of 14 Republicans to vote for comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Senate, predicted Wednesday in Reno that immigration reform would pass the U.S. House of Representatives if the issue gets a final vote on the House floor.”
Yes Sir, invest in unemployment and not jobs! It’s the Democrat way!
And I’m not confusing Reid of NV with Reed of RI (who worked with Heller on the bill). It’s just that on issue after issue, Heller has been involved in all this “bipartisan” stuff. He and Reid are allied (or Reid has something on him, as he did Ensign).
the majority of long term unemployed are working under the table for someone....lawn care, bartending, painting, construction, child care etc....tax free!
Undocumented Democrats on the war path!
Regarding the title of this thread, and disregarding PC interpretations of the General Welfare Clause, the states have never amended the Constitution to grant Congress the specific power to tax and spend for welfare purposes.
Why do we need to extend unemployment benefits?
The unemployment rate is plummeting (according to the ‘rats, anyway).
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