What Happened to H.R. 3548 - The Third Federal Unemployment Extension?
68Intoduction
Many unemployed people have been anxiously awaiting to see what will happen with H.R. 3548. H.R. 3548, passed by the House in September, extended federal unemployment benefits by 13 weeks for all states with an unemployment rate at or above 8.5%. Unfortunately, this bill leaves 25% of the unemployed across the nation in the cold. In light of this, when it was passed to the Senate, the bill stalled. Accordingly, some Senators from states with unemployment rates of less than 8.5% were disatisfied with it.
Unemployed - Last Man Standing
Senator Shaheen's Amendment to H.R. 3548
With unemployment benefits exhausted or close to being exhausted, many unemployed people have been closely monitoring the progress of H.R. 3548. Considering the House passed the bill in September, they are worried, frustrated, and angry the bill hasn't passed yet in the Senate. However, there is some bright news, but it may not be enough to placate those who have already exhausted their benefits.
On October 6, the online Capitol Hill Reports reported that Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is planning to offer an amendment to H.R. 3548. Last week she wrote a letter with 16 other Senators urging Baucus and Reid to craft new legislation that extends the benefits to all states. This amendment would extend federal unemployment benefits to all 50 states for an additional 17 weeks. Harry Reid (D-NV), the Senate Majority Leader, plans to bring it to the floor later this week. Supposedly, Shaheen's amendment has at least 17 supporters in the Senate. However, Baucus drafted a proposal cosponsered by Reid which would provide a 13 week extension to all states with unemployment rates at or above 8.5% and a four week extension to all states regardless of the unemployment rate. In my opinion, this proposal is not good enough. A four week extension won't even scratch the surface of the problem. After four weeks, the unemployed in these states will just be hurting again. Whereas the original H.R. 3548 will cost 1.4 billion, Shaheen's plan will cost 70 billion.
Even though this is good news, don't expect to get extended benefits soon. Even if the there is a majority vote on the amendment to H.R. 3548 in the Senate. it won't be approved immediately. The way the legislative process works, if the Senate approves this amendment with a majority vote, it will go to the Conference Committee. After the Conference Committee reconciles the differences, a conference report is issued. Both the House and Senate have to vote whether to accept or reject the revised bill.
Conclusion
Whereas, Baucus and Reid's proposal would extend an unemployment tax of $14 paid by employers for each employee anually, Shaheen's amendment would be paid for using TARP funds. Personally, I hope Shaheen's amended version of H.R. 3548 is passed. Finding a job in today's economy is tough regardless of the unemployment rate. As Senator Shaheen said, "Distinctions in state unemployment rates may make sense in Washington, but they don't make sense in New Hampshire and they don't make sense to the other 15 million unemployed workers nationwide who are struggling to get by and get back to work. Furthermore, some states are not that much below 8.5%.
Even if the Senate approves the amendment, it could be waylaid in exchange for another proposal drafted by Baucus and co-sponsored by Reid. Unlike Shaheen's amendment, their proposal would provide a 13 week extension for all states with unemployment rates at 8.5% or above and a four week extension to all states regardless of the unemployment rate. Considering four weeks will barely touch the problem before people are ready to lose their benefits again, I prefer Shaheen's amendment.
States that Do Not Qualify Under the Initial H.R. 3548
STATE
| AUG UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
| |
|---|---|---|
Alaska
| 8.3
| |
Arkansas
| 7.1
| |
Colorado
| 7.3
| |
Connecticut
| 8.1
| |
Delaware
| 8.1
| |
Hawaii
| 7.2
| |
Iowa
| 6.8
| |
Kansas
| 7.1
| |
Louisianna
| 7.8
| |
Maryland
| 7.2
| |
Minnesota
| 8.0
| |
Montana
| 6.6
| |
Nebraska
| 5.0
| |
New Hampshire
| 6.9
| |
New Mexico
| 7.5
| |
North Dakota
| 4.3
| |
Oklahoma
| 6.8
| |
South Dakota
| 4.9
| |
Texas
| 8.0
| |
Utah
| 6.0
| |
Vermont
| 6.8
| |
Virginnia
| 6.5
| |
Wyoming
| 6.6
|
The Senate Stall in the News
BREAKING UNEMPLOYMENT NEWS! H.R. 3548 - November 4, 2009
- Senate Passed Ammended Version of the Unemployment Extension Act - H.R. 3548
After listening to a great speech by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), as I type at 4:30 pm, the Senate is taking their final vote on the Unemployment Extension Act of 2009, H.R. 3548. Since September 23, people... - Unemployment Extension 2009 H.R. 3548 - Take Back Your Power
Everybody has heard of the stalls in Senate on the unemployment extension, H.R. 3548, while our nation's unemployed suffer because of the resistance of a few heartless senator. While they stall, many people...
See Senators and Representatives that Have Voted No on the Unemployment Extension Bills
- Friend or Foe of the Unemployed? Nay Votes on Unemployment Benefit Extensions 2009
Has long-term unemployment affected you? If so, have you laid in your bed at night, tossing and turning, wondering how you are going to pay the rent or put food on the table? With 7.2 million people out of...
CommentsLoading...
Hi Besty
I totally agree! And supposedly, the amendment suggested paying for it by extending an annual payroll tax of $14 per employee per year. Supposedly, from what I heard, the Senate was ready to take a quick vote on it when Senator Kyle (R-AZ) wanted to check into the ammendment more and maybe add more to the ammendment. So, you can thank him for the delay. If it wasn't for him, it would probably be at the Conference Committee by now being ironed out by each side.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
this bill should have already passed for all 50 states. this jack ass, senator kyle r-az. should be tar and feathered along with all the wall street people and the bank people and everybody else that took tarp money tar and feather them all! this goverment can give our money to who ever they want no matter what country or war. but they can't take care of the american people who put them in office! get ready politicians you are going out one way or the other! you old ones are going to die of old age and you younger ones will get voted out. it's coming!!!!!!!!!!!
I want my money, I worked hard and chemists are the creators of everything we use. How many politicians areout of work ? Deficit spending is nothing new. Extensions are cheaper than 'blood for oil'. And on and on they croak like toads. Let them croak early.
why is it the social services are the first things to fall by the wayside when the congress wants to balance the budget. the congress gets their cola raises every year, the banks morgage companys insurance companys all get the first of the billions the gov. has tacked onto the deficit, our grand children will be paying back.the ones who needed the help the ones with the foreclosures got no help with the stimulis money, welfare and now food stamps are a thing of the past , our unemployment extension will not be passed this year,they hope everyone will have to take entry level, minium wage possitions just to keep food onthe table and be timed out of any benifits at all. this war is costing more in one week than the extension would have costed for the origional 13 weeks. congress has just passed a bill to give a raise to their staff and aides, do you remember the savings and loan scandal of the '80's it should have been the writing on the wall. the same people who got bailed out then, got bailed out again, sure the names have changed, but they are the ones who put these congressional con men and cropoks in office. not the ones who are ultimately paying the bills., tha!
sincerely, and don't hold your breath over this extension, nks for the blank page and the pencil
Hi Needhelp
I agree with you about Senator Kyl. Actually, when I was doing research for a new article, I found out that he was one of the ones responsible for holding up the very first unemployment extension.
Thank you for commenting and stopping by!
Hi Mark Bertinetti
Actually, I don't understand why the politicians fight it so much. They know eventually they are going to have to enact these unemployment extensions. From what I understand the hold up is how it is going to be funded now. The proposed amendments have suggested using either TARP funds are extending an annual payroll tax of $14 per employee. The latter has been going on for thirty years already. Considering that, what's the big deal with extending it longer? Furthermore, it's proven that unemployment benefits stiumulate the economy.
Thank you for commenting and stopping by!
Hi Ed Hurlburt
You are so right about everything. Actually, I am beginning to wonder if the unemployment extension will be passed this year. I have been looking around to see when they, the Senate, go on recess this year, but I can't find any information. Remember last year when the Senate went on Thanksgiving recess before passing the second unemployment extension.
Thank you for commenting and stopping by!
What is going on with Congress? We need our extension asap. I have been out of work since January, 2008 and ran out of my last extension September 1st. There are millions of people in the same boat or worse than I am and I know it has been a struggle without my unemployment and no jobs to be had. We don't care about the war and sending more troops or not, we don't care about the health care as most of us who are unemployed have no health care anyway. We want money to pay our bills and buy food. This isn't fair playing with our lives like this.
I agree with you on the healthcare reform, those of us that are out of work and have drawn our last check have not had health care for a long time anyway and have gotten used to not having it; we just try and not get sick. We just need the extra checks to pay bills and buy food. I bet if it were their paychecks on the line the bill would have already passed. I watch the news every day to see if there is any news about the extension and for some reason it is not even being mentioned or at least not on any of the stations I am watching. You are exactly right that it is not fair for them to play with our lives like this. They don't stop and think that when the next elections rolls around they can be voted out just as easily as they were voted in there is strength in numbers and as voters we have this strength.
Is Congress getting a cost of living adjustment this year ? If they are ,who voted for it and how long did it take them to vote and approve it ? I ask because our senior citizens will NOT be getting a cola this year,and it is a disgrace if our congressmen give themselves a nice raise...how dare they we need to vote them ALL out in 2010
Problems with funding sources and how to pay for it seem to be holding this up. Also, a few senators want an anti-acron amendment added, and that slows it up as well.
Why the hardships of so many unemployed Americans beimg ignored.. Those of you elected officials who make the laws...stop playing politcs with our lives.Pass H.R. 3548 so can keep my lights on and alittle gas in my car so I can look for work..
WHILE THEY HAVE A VERY NICE OFFICE TO GO TO WE DON'T HAVE A JOB ANYMORE BECAUSE OUR GOV HAS LET EVERYTHING GO OVER SEAS.THEY HAVE GOT THERE NICE HOMES AND CARS CLOTHES.OH I SURE THEY DO NOT EAT OFF BRAND FOOD LIKE SO MANY OF US DO.THEY ARE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY WANT AND COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.BUT WHEN IT'S TIME TO VOTE AGAIN THEY LOVE US.
Come on jerks, get off your behinds and get this done! You all outta be ashamed of yourselves, we are hard working americans who have lost our jobs and paid our way and need this Country to help us Americans and NOW!!!! I NEED MONEY TO EAT, PAY BILLS...JERKS.... GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!!!!!!!
What happened? did they just table the unemployment extension and forget the millions of people who have or will run out of unemployment benefits this year? I have not seen an update in over ten days. What are these people in Washington DC doing? I have always said, "if their lips are moving they are lying." We need our extension now, not three months from now. I have rent to pay and food to buy. I do not qualify for food stamps as I have no children at home anymore. My own children are grown and taking food from their own families to feed me. I want to know what is going on and it seems that no newspaper is eager to print any information. Somebody please tell me. It is not their money and they aren't looking for ways to pay their bills. I have already lost my vehicle, ready to lose my place to live and have no dignity left. I am begging you people of Capitol Hill to make a decision now and get it over with.
Hi Linda-California
On Tuesday, October 26, the Senate is going to have a cloture vote on the extension. If you look at the link at the bottom of this article, it will explain more. However, even if they have a full 3/5 majority, I think this is going to take at least another couple of weeks to resolve. Yes, I know, it is inexcusable behavior. I filed my last unemployment check today, and since I do not children, I am not eligible for any benefits except foods stamps and energy assistance. Thus, I am worried just as much as all of you. I have written one of Minnesota's Senators twice and emailed these unemployment articles so she can see how people are feeling. Besides that, I don't know what else to do except pray and look for ways to make money. Hang in there and take care!
Good Knowledge sharing ...Nice Work keep it up dear.
Hi Khmohsin
Thank you. Thank you for stopping by!
Its hard enough to keep up with the bills and cut corners on putting food on the table, and after you get thru the day its time to go to sleep worrying, wondering what will you do tommorow to keep yourself going with no money to work with and I have worked over 30 years and this is what I get, I feel being 54 years of age its over for me, I was exactly kicked to the street laid off and saw my job leave overseas with First American Title Company Nationwide had no shame in laying off employees after we trained people overseas, India and Philippines, to take over our jobs and we were told our jobs were secured, Now I have to depend and hang on today and see if the Senate will give me some helping hand here, or should we all move overseas and get our jobs and dignity back, Yep I am willing to work for lower wages if that what it will take to get myself out of this hole. I wonder if I will have the real turkey with trimmings this thanksgiving like everyone in Washington, or back to my T.V. DINNER with Turkey, and hopefully it will come with a vegetable and a dessert of pie.
Kick all this old Senators and elect new young genration with better idea to run this country better.
well , what alot cease to realize is its not JUST un-employment benefits...WHAT ABOUT THE ONES WHO ARE INDEPENDENTS , WHO GET NO UN-EMPLOYMENT AT ALL ????
bottom line they need to give some BILLIONS BACK TO US IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC !
WELL...YA KNOW THE BIG FISH WILL FRY IF THEY ARE NO LITTLE FISH ( ALL OF US ) TO EAT !
IS TOTAL B.S WHAT IS / HAS BEEN GOING ON ,THE U.S GOVERNMENT BETTER GET THEIR S*&T TOGETHER .....WELL YA KNOW FOR ALL OF US WHO LOST OUR HOMES AND CARS MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL CAMP OUT ON THE STEPS OF CAPITAL HILL ..( WE ARE HOMELESS NOW) ...
ITS ALL IN THE NUMBERS , WE AS THE PEOPLE NEED TO START A REVOLUTION BEFOR OUR KIDS GET EVEN MORE SCREWED !
I AM A SINGLE MOTHER, LOST MY JOB TWO YEARS AGO AND CANT FIND WORK, I AM AT THE END OF MY UNEMPLOYMENT, I LAy awake at nite wondreing how am i gonna keep a roof over my childrens head and food on the table, someone has to make a decision and fast, i know i am not the only one going through this. IF YOU CAN HELP THESE OTHER COUNTRIES WHAT ABOUT YOUR OWN!!!!!!
It's the republicans who are holding up this bill, you know what to do on election day.
My unemployment ran out a month ago every job I apply for has about 200 people also applying so they need to pass the bill before im on the streets but that is the least of they're worries. They get paid even if they dont work what a waste of our votes and tax money!!!!!!!
H.R. 3548 passed in the Senate this afternoon with no nay votes!
Mark the chemist:
Why are you having trouble finding a job? Environmental chemistry is booming. Good Luck.
I have been out since aug 08 they laid off asll managers at the franchise i was working for .I EXSAUSHED the federal due to the jerkds at the company killed all are our ri undemploy su... so we get crap quarters they should go back when i was making my real pay ass's.Since end june 2009 i been waiting for this new exstension they think you waqlk out and there is jobs all over being a manager for so many years i no theese companys are not making there quota so they are not hiring to save the cost try break even from past years . nw i lost all house all in my life im ready for dirt nap theese asshol..dont understand we at 30 willnever see are social security ok and if we do and they fix that we will be 80 it will be up there in age they should give us all are social money back let us invest are selfes its are money and if we are not going to get it give it back now i can sure use it to open a company working since i was 13 books since i was 15 ok had leave scholl work full time to help my mom and my 2 brothers so i checked i have over 50,000 in social that would be enough to start a company theese assholes dropped that subjest quick as well . ok well now im backed up from june living back home real f.. nice have a son to support i mean this is getting so redic.. i mean france all theese countries have great unemployment with health no matter if you worked 3 hours or 50 they pay you and the govt helps gives full health and we are suppose be the supreme country yeah tell the congress and senate take a fu.. cut like theese other countries did no one even the president needs make millions a year f... amn i will settle for my bennys right now and now credit is shot and this ass has the right to sayb he inherited this what the fuc. we sure did not ask for it !!!!!!! so they need get off there asses and say you no what unemploymnet till you find a job as they have trillions of are social we will never see 46 -60 percent die before ever collecting it proven exp africian americians they have not collected as much no were as us cacusions so i mean lets get this shi./ together mr president dont say inherited no more you sound like a f.. fool like bush left you something he should be taken out that ass and let all the world beat his ass...... all over oil as he mets with gthe ladin family weeks or so on his stocks before the attacks hmmmmmmmm.organized crime ring a bell yet more powerfull or was afear stage so we demand action controll us to vote his ass back in that fmm is dead no film pops up no more so he is dead from the beging he was they nevrer told us just kept trucking to protect the oil .look like heroes throught the world he is a coke head sniff sniff bush .....I say i should be payed back wages from june but last timethey did that then it was over so you can not get a head sure so many have this problem i conntacted the whitehouse they dont give 2 shi of a lambs tale like as useless as tits on a bull they are .what we need to do is we control tge govt they make it look diffrent we want it we all ask we will get it in fear they sh,,there pants billions yelling give us are money any bill it will work with it is time we stop letting them make all are life decisions i mean the man cant even act right like a kid in a candy store being in the seat well news no fu,, king that sh,, went out long time ago when we kicked englands ass ok then we let them do the same thing worse just slower it came on us no city state has same laws are we not one country ??????? why money passes bills ok now we need to stand up all not sy yeah then 80m percent well im scared f.off we demand action gets a reaction. i went off i am p off so much i beat all tghere asses if i could i no saying it theese days they get bscared so f um i want be on tv my aunt passed a bill here no one though ever get by well when 500,000 are saying yes 20,00 say well i dont no or no either vthey join in reason off somethings wrong here and the govt says well we have to what can they do we control them they work for us the peopele and they tell us stuoids laws i say we go by the bible the sins thats it f the rest ok .its peoples life if some guy wants to smoke a joint hey go for it im sure he has enough brains to do the right thing i no we need so order yes but if use look last 60 years they almost down to telling us what time to go to bed now soon..all a mirage all puppets they pull the strings we all move the way they say talk the way they tell us my son was ridaculed just for asking why are u sure thats right on a subject in the school book ok she says its in the book so has to be right so if he said jump you would then . why we and are country is so f.. is are govt is the biggest crooks then anyone like my back crooked as a polation !Then for the ticking time bomb: Social Security. The proceeds from withholding do not go into a lockbox or trust fund. They are spent, thereby reducing the size of the stated deficit. More importantly, he notes that the government's accounting for the deficit doesn't include any accruals for Social Security or Medicare liability.
so i will leave this with i no it is a mess it is 3:30 am i never sleep due all stress doctors can give me meds and does i acnt afford them or him so it a no win so why people flip next time people lol.sorry again i hope all happy holidays may all get what they need done without problems i no last year was so rough there is no such thing as a bnervous breakdoen no mlore my doctor said its just f.. flipped lol yes that is my real email usgovsucks1@gmail.com under first amedment lie a story im telling something probally drag us all out of bed 5 am in the morning arresting us nest saying anything why we need to stand up more i going start website webspace called usgovsucks1.com and all can chat give ideas all the new post bull be great thats what we need not use myspace for a place to say i love acdc man ......yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh should bea big network were all that vote and all that get together discuss all the bull like are for farthers did in the back of stores wink wink.... lol anyway im going start a march if i dont get my unemployment so big do it anyway that us will shit ........................all that is been f.. sick of anything jsut jump in let them here yeah this why all great speakers been killed king,example he was great speaker cia killed him for shaw or a hired gun for the govt. well i will pace the floor till its time look for work that dont exsist yet stay possitive ok i go in thinking i am getting the job all conf.just like when i say im going hit powerball its a 1 in a million oops crapped out.we should all start a trend all mails 10 people a dollar ok then like start with 1 million people milion air then chairty 1 dolar dont hurt made someone happy do this till we can do shit for are selfes start companys be the bosses so if we did it for say 4 months you have 1200 new million airs that just 4 months ago was broke all people on the list get bhired first 120 new buisness yeah i think supply work load for that then keep going my idea i dont here congress say anything smarter then that an im like ben frank never graduated lol he was not mind f,, by the govt books then actually was not subliminal messages to make you fail in life please do not email about spelling and that please run ons i no im tired sleep 2 hours a day ready to jump . happy holidays may all wishes come true and god bless the world i hate when them ash.. say americia like god hates the rest or some shit :) i started a site on 2012 myans actual has all puncs,and no run ons did it right support my site pleae im unemployed like use if see something have a lot of affilites make 10 cents 1 on a sale or whatever lease im honest but site is free all about diffrent therios i have mayan calander broke down still in making but i mean i do have a couple great items i have drop shipped shaw use heard i no its tough saying any rich bastards use no lol ask support but very educational all scientific communty pics and there thoughts so you can see it free you can also click banner i make crap try starting your own site get affiliate account i mean 1
The elections are coming!. Come on people, get out there and vote. We need these liberal democrats out or office, and get back to conservatism. Without all the big spending of bogus programs, we would have the money needed to pass these extensions with ease.
Eat politicians when ya go hunting. Washington DC is full of foul..
WHAT THE GOVERMENT WILL NOT BE HAPPY UNTIL PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS AND THIS COUNTRY IS IN DEPRESSION.......
It is a WRECK in NEW HAMPSHIRE. The "low" percentage rate reported is bogus and without auditable findings, hence we do not qualify for the additional tier of Federal Benefits. Foreclosures, restaurants closings by the dozens, new construction extinct, retailers at skeleton crews, ZERO jobs, shelters full, families livining in RVs/tents/basements, spare rooms, families not accessable to dental/eye/health care and the list goes on. DEPRESSION is already here with all the working people. Sorry, we don't exhibit the current lifestyle of the low uneployment average.
betsy 2 years ago
they better get moving on this extension; personally i feel if the government can keep funding the war someone still needs to fund our homeland in these times of trouble. THIS HR 3548 NEEDS NO HESITATION JOBS AND RESOURCES ARE TO SCARCE