Unemployment benefits set to end for 1 million
More than a million long-term unemployed Americans will lose their jobless benefits on Saturday.
The benefits are poised to expire for 1.3 million Americans.
After the program ends, those claiming the assistance now won't be able to collect additional payments even if they haven't reached the maximum for which they are eligible. Lawmakers may put together a proposal for a short-term fix. Sens. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, and Dean Heller, a Nevada Republican, are proposing a bill that would extend unemployment benefits for three months. According to an MSNBC report, the $6 billion proposal proposes to maintain aid for the long-term unemployed, who would have their benefits restored retroactively, while buying legislators more time to work out a longer extension. In high-unemployment states, workers can get as many as 73 weeks of benefits. Republicans have two concerns. One is that the economy is improving and unemployment rates are dropping. The other is cost. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found 18 states had lower rates last month than the national average, while eight had 'measurably higher rates' and 24 had rates 'not appreciably different from that of the nation.' For years, some Republicans have argued that the benefits should be offset by spending cuts. Others counter that traditionally such benefits were seen as emergencies and were not offset. The three-month cost of $6 billion would not currently be offset with cuts. The program was last extended about a year ago, as part of broader economic legislation. The White House is firmly behind the three-month plan. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio indicated he would be open to legislation this time. 'They should pass it,' President Barack Obama said before leaving on his Hawaiian vacation. 'And I'll sign it right away.'
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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