Congress Continues Debate as Unemployed Americans Struggle
Unemployed and frustrated with the federal government’s foot dragging on legislation that would extend her benefits, 65-year-old Marilyn Turner was recently in a grocery store, watching the woman in front of her buy $100 worth of crab legs.
The Valdosta, Ga., resident observed the pricey purchase, eyed the $6.30 worth of oysters that she wanted to buy for oyster stew, a traditional holiday meal in the South, and made the purchase.
For Turner and other unemployed Americans, hopes grew Tuesday that a solution was on the way, as the U.S. Senate agreed to consider reinstating unemployment benefits for 1.3 million Americans whose weekly checks ended shortly after Christmas.
The 60-37 vote—including the support of six Republicans—set up a debate over the benefits, which ran out Dec. 28 for people who had been unemployed more than 26 weeks. As written, the $6.5 billion bill would extend benefits for up to 47 weeks.
Turner and her husband will likely go without groceries this week, she said.
Much of Tuesday’s brief debate dealt with the cost. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who voted against the motion, argued that funds should be diverted from Obamacare to pay for unemployment benefits.
Some unemployed workers who have gone without money the past week and a half called the delay unconscionable.
“The way they’re talking is like those of us on the extended benefits are not doing anything to find a job,” said Turner, who lost her bookkeeping job in July. “Well, I’m here to tell them I’m doing everything I can. I don’t know what else I can do.”
She had never collected unemployment benefits until last year, she added.
It is unclear how long Turner and others will have to wait for an answer. No timetable had been set for the debate by Tuesday afternoon. President Obama has asked Congress to pass the extension quickly.
“Voting for unemployment insurance helps people and creates jobs,” Obama said Tuesday at the White House. “And voting against it does not. Congress should pass this bipartisan plan right away, and I will sign it right away.”
The national unemployment rate in November, the last month available, was 7 percent, the best figure in five years.
Although the economy is improving, a gap in benefits will make it harder for the unemployed to find jobs, said Maurice Emsellem, a program director with the National Employment Law Project.
“They can’t put food on the table; they can’t pay bills; they can’t fill the gas tank so they can go look for work,” he said. “Pulling the plug on these benefits will harm the economy.”
The extension is part of a slate of economic proposals pushed by Obama. Other priorities include raising the minimum wage and continuing to restructure mortgages.
For Turner, though, unemployment benefits are at the top of the list. She said she dropped her life insurance recently to save money.
“I’ve never been as disillusioned with our government as I am right now,” she said. “I’d like to see them live on $306 per week.”
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Original article from TakePart
