Schumer Says Senate Will Boost Jobless Aid in Stimulus Measure

[swag]

Source: Bloomberg

Jan. 25 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Senate will change the economic stimulus plan agreed to by the House and the Bush administration and likely increase unemployment benefits, Senator Charles Schumer, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, said.

More spending on unemployment benefits and food stamps will generate ``more bang for the buck,'' said Schumer, a New Yorker who is the Senate's No. 3 Democrat. The package of provisions designed to boost economic growth was announced yesterday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

``The economists tell us that the No. 1 thing to get money into the economy fast is extending unemployment benefits and maybe increasing them by a little bit temporarily,'' Schumer said in an in interview on Bloomberg Television's ``Political Capital with Al Hunt,'' scheduled to air today. ``It's something we'd like to see added in.''

Schumer is among the senators looking to make changes to a bipartisan deal that the House and the Bush administration worked out this week to help the U.S. avoid recession. Under that agreement, the Internal Revenue Service will distribute tax- rebate checks to 117 million families earning at least $3,000, give businesses incentives to invest in equipment and allow federally chartered mortgage-finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy mortgages of up to $729,750.



Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aLC180I6M03E&refer=home

[jonnyra]

1. yeah right

I'll believe it when I see it. The spineless dems will bow down to Bush and the republicans as soon as they say they wont accept unemployment benefits being extended or raised. Weve seen this act before and know how it ends.

[FreepFryer]

2. I used to support Schumer - until he confirmed Mukasey. Now, we're waiting for him to lose his seat.

Maybe the next NY Democrat will represent his state and his voting public.

For me, Schumer's a traitor to Democratic principles and soon to be replaced.

[aquart]

3. Let me know when they plan to provide jobs.

Let me know when they plan to make American business competitive again by removing the burden of healthcare. The health of the American people is not the business of business. It is a national security concern of the American government which has the obligation to make sure that Americans are alive and well.

[cutlassmama]

4. But still nothing for elderly or disabled. n/t

[Jack_DeLeon]

5. I disagree with this...

they need to get this done cause I want to spend my money.

[Donk Yore]

6. blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Sorry, but this bugs the crap out of me. I see no benefits from this other than people being able to send their money to the corporations holding their lives in perpetual debt; thereby enriching the bastards even more.