GOP Stonewalls Extension of COBRA, Unemployment Benefits

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscmeblog.org/2010/02/19/gop-stonewalls-extension-of-cobra-unemployment-benefits/

February 19th, 2010

While the Senate is seeking agreement on jobs legislation, states will need to start reprogramming their unemployment insurance (UI) computers before the current federal benefit extensions and COBRA subsidies are scheduled to end on February 28.

Senate Majority Leader Reid attempted to get unanimous consent to move a stop-gap extension of the programs through March 7 while negotiations continue, but Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) objected.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuZMzQAR0M0&feature=player_embedded

Without timely congressional action, workers losing jobs after February 28 will only be eligible for 26 weeks of basic state benefits, and those participating in the federal extension programs will only be able to complete the extension in which they are participating, possibly losing months of assistance.

While most observers believe an extension ultimately will pass, the delay will cause mass confusion among the over 10 million unemployed workers receiving unemployment checks and cause states to spend unnecessary time and resources shutting down the extension software, responding to calls from UI claimants, and then starting up the programs again.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Boy, they're really guaranteeing themselves a landslide in November!

Sadly, that may be the way it works.
They're giving their fatcat backers plenty of reason to pump up their campaign coffers.

[tom_paine]

6. With enough money and modern corporate media mated to a delivery system

unparalleled in modern human history, they CAN rewrite reality, and make water flow uphill (up is down).

I never would have believed it possible, but watching it unfold and continue to grow for the last decade and more is believing.

Now that the Bush Court (not even really a "court" anymore) has unleashed the full "nuclear" brunt of Corporate Power, we have, at best, some terrible times ahead for people who actually are freedom-lovers.

At worst, the American Corporatists will lose control like their German Industrialist antecedents in the 1930s and we will have full-blown Classical Totalitarianism on our hands.

[endless october]

2. COBRA discount is a great idea.

has helped many, including me.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. Me, too. It is a DEFINITE help. Way to go, MITCH. Asshole. n/t

[endless october]

4. he already has government health care.

i continue to wait for the GOP (and some Dem) members of congress to give up their government coverage and buy on the "free market."

if there's no problem, what are they waiting for?

[Walk away]

5. Because when you lose your job ...you deserve to die.

That's the GOP's new moto!

[Atticus]

7. THIS would be a GREAT issue to break the filibuster on!

Let the SOB's stand up for hours explaining why the rent won't be paid; why more children will go hungry in American; why their down with bailing out Bank of America and Goldman-Sachs but just can't go along with helping PEOPLE.