House Republicans Block Unemployment Amendment (VIDEO)

Republicans in the House of Representatives blocked legislation early Thursday morning that would provide additional benefits to the long-term unemployed.

The House is currently debating a "continuing resolution" that will fund government operations through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year, in lieu of a formal budget. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) attempted to amend the CR with her provision to provide another 14 weeks of federally-funded unemployment benefits for people who've been out of work for six months or longer.

In remarks on the House floor after midnight, Lee noted, as HuffPost did earlier this week, that her amendment to the CR is the only one of the hundreds proposed that addresses the jobs crisis.

"Of the nearly 600 amendments to the continuing resolution that have been proposed or considered so far, this amendment is the only one, mind you, that deals with the problem of the unemployed directly," Lee said. "Don't resort to parliamentary maneuvers to block help to the unemployed."

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) then used a parliamentary maneuver to successfully block the amendment.

"An amendment to an appropriation bill shall not be in order in changing existing law," said Rehberg. "The amendment directly changes existing law."

The amendment, based on a bill introduced by Lee and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), would modify the tax-cut deal that President Barack Obama struck with congressional Republicans in December. That deal reauthorized tax cuts for the rich for two years and 73 weeks of federal benefits for the long-term unemployed for one year.

The Lee-Scott measure is aimed at "99ers" -- people who have exhausted the maximum 99 weeks of state and federal unemployment benefits without finding work -- but it would add the extra 14 weeks of benefits to the first "tier" of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which kicks in when state benefits run out after 26 weeks. The benefits would apply retroactively, so 99ers who ran out of benefits weeks or months ago would start receiving checks again.

Even if it reached the floor for a vote, the measure would probably fail: Republicans are in a budget-cutting frenzy and the Lee-Scott bill would add something like $16 billion to the deficit. Lee has said she would consider funding cuts to offset the bill's deficit impact, but even a deficit-neutral proposal to help the unemployed would face tough sledding.

Several 99ers have told HuffPost over the past several months that they appreciate legislation addressing their situation even if it has no chance of becoming law. "I'm happy for the effort," 99er Stuart Koplowitz told HuffPost last week. "I'm happy representatives like Barbara Lee keep bringing it up, keeping it as a subject, not letting it get lost in the background."

The Congressional Research Service estimated that there are roughly 1.4 million Americans who have been unemployed for 99 weeks or longer as of October. The National Employment Law Project estimates that 3.9 million people exhausted their benefits in 2010, though not all of them received 99 weeks' worth and not all of them necessarily remain jobless.

"Congress has missed another opportunity to show that it cares about those who have been hit hardest by the recession," said Judy Conti, a NELP lobbyist. "It seems that the callous attitude of "so be it" with respect to the unemployed is shared by far too many."

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) immediately denounced Rehberg's point of order, as did Lee.

"That's really a shame and a disgrace," Lee said.

Courtesy of C-Span, video of the exchange appears below:

Comments

[Grogy]

09:27 PM on 02/26/2011

The country that helps everyone in the world had better start looking at our own needs. The long-term unemployed in this country are only going to remain quiet for so long. Politicians who think there are jobs out there are delusional. They are not there because of the neoliberalism that is very rapidly running this country into the ground. Washington politicians are living in the twilight zone. They are less interested in the needs of the country, but more interested in how their decisions will affect their own needs. The 99er's should not have to beg for what they are entitled to. The spark that set off the fireworks in Egypt and Libya had nothing to do with the deficit. I see major problems arising from our employment situation. It is not a warning, but rather a prediction.

[fortressfountain]

09:26 PM on 02/23/2011

If people are not working this is the fault of the politcans who allow the companies to lay off and ship jobs overseas. They should be forced to pay unemployment or provide everyone with a decant paying job.
People cannot find work for no fault of their own.

[Universalis]

07:34 PM on 02/22/2011

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph

[Universalis]

07:13 PM on 02/22/2011

Maddow Destroys Wisconsin's Gov Walker !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7e4bj5rrd8&sns=fb

[ynewton]

05:05 PM on 02/22/2011

I am 50plus - I am a 99er worked for 32years - I live in New York and have had no choice but to apply for public assistance - the line was literally around the corner at 8am in the morning, when I finally met with someone they told me that I have to DISOLVE all of my bank accounts mind you I only have $150 in the bank. I would have to get rid of any credit cards, and that I would only recieve $260 for rent, that I can not have life insurance - and 75dollars every two weeks after I complete a course at welfare for 5weeks on basics such as knowing your nouns, basic math and spelling and can not miss a day. They do give you 206dollars per month for food stamps. Does Obama know that those who are no longer employed, who lost their jobs through lay-offs are now driven to poverty?
Is the poverty status in the United States even a consideration? I am being stripped down, to naked!!!!! I have nothing!!! Does anyone care? Even the homeless shelters are packed!!! and they are extremely filthy,with crack users, drug users, filthy mattresses, bathrooms, roaches, rats and unknown critters running around. Can someone please express these matters to OPRAH, OBAMA, Ms. BARBARA LEE == OR HOW ABOUT P.DIDDY OR TRUMP.
its sad very sad. We are going to end up like Egypt!!!! or worse

[demilieu]

05:12 PM on 02/22/2011

Many people - especially those who self-identify as 'conservative' - have a misguided understanding of what 'welfare' (I prefer the term public assistance) now means in America. What you said is common policy. My state, Texas, also gives very little public asistance to people, and yes, you must dissolve all of your assets. I've met some people who believe that the destitute only need apply to government to recieve rent assistance and financial help with paying bills. In truth, once UI runs out, one is left to depend on friends, relatives and charity to survive. It's about the most undignified position imaginable to be in.

[ynewton]

05:29 PM on 02/22/2011

The other factor to that is that most of our friends relatives and charities --- just do not have it!!
and we are left alone!!! I am a month away from getting put out of my apartment and then what? t

[demilieu]

04:18 PM on 02/22/2011

Until a man has to walk around with holes in his shoes, he cannot understand the depth of this problem.

[oastiegreene]

04:12 PM on 02/22/2011

Maybe it is time to realize that the union protesters in WI are really speaking for all of us and to follow their lead on a national level! Take to the streets of DC and let our voices be heard in mass.

As long as we remain quiet and give the floor to the corporate tool tea baggers the more this rape of the working and middle classes will continue.

[thebearschick]

03:38 PM on 02/22/2011

This is a tough issue. 99 weeks--almost two years--of unemployment, is a long time. I have been out of work once (in 2008) but chose not to collect unemployment. Within ONE MONTH I found a job that paid slightly higher than what unemployment would have. No, it was not ideal, not in my field of work, and I was overqualified. But I did it for a year and started freelancing on the side and eventually found a better opportunity. I genuinely believe it's in a person's best interest to remain employed, even if the work is "menial". Your odds are better at getting a new job if you have something on your resume. Plus, working at a job you dislike can be a strong motivator to keep looking for work in your field.

I wish there was a way to extend benefits to people who have been doing everything they can to find work, without also extending benefits to people who, "would take that starbucks job, but since it pays them same as the unemployment, would rather not"

[ynewton]

05:11 PM on 02/22/2011

I have no more than a high school education, I have been forturnate to work for 32 years, rather blessed to work for 32 years with several health issues. I have been unemployed for 2years 99weeks I have tried employement from Burger King, babysitting, taking out garbage at restaurants etc etc but NO ONE i repeat NO ONE is hiring - I am 50years old and the biggest excuse is there are a lot of young people out there who can do the work faster and better and with less pay - I tought myself to use the computer-to troubleshoot as well...............
obviously making minimum wage will not pay my bills but at this point and time I can't even get that
ynewton

[ynewton]

03:59 PM on 03/06/2011

Ok so now whats the next step - what happens next? I don't know what to do - i have seen so many in need, food pantries, charities and homeless shelters do not have anything - people are willing to go to jail just for a meal (if they don't have any children) just one question WHAT HAPPENS NOW?????

[demilieu]

03:36 PM on 02/22/2011

This issue has lost media interest. Perhaps that will change when hundreds of thousands-and then millions-begin showing up at private charities, food banks and soup kitchens just in time for the 2012 elections. This is America's darkest secret that's really not a secret to anyone who's out and about and sees the number of pan handlers, homeless and destitute Americans barely surviving from day to day. The 10 richest members of congress - including members from all parties - all voted for the extension of the Bush era tax cuts, which did add some UI, but fell far short from offering anything beyond a short term stop gap measure to this problem of joblessness and high unemployment. Mr. President, elected members of Congress, we seek opportunity and not a hand-out as some have argued. Until that can happen, we must have a means to survive with dignity.

[TybeeBoBo]

12:36 AM on 02/23/2011

hundreds of thousands are already showing up at the food banks. ours is closing because it has run out of food. we all need jobs. it was just a couple of people i knew were unemployed a year ago, now many people i know are suffering.

[Kenz300]

04:52 PM on 02/20/2011

The American middle class has been decimated by the policies of the right.

Tax cuts for the rich while the middle class sees their wages and jobs go down.

We are turning into a third world country with all the wealth concentrated in the top 2%.

[Cindy Henson]

06:58 AM on 02/20/2011

thank you for being on our side ..may God bless you.The whole thing is bullshit,Why give to the rich and take from the poor...maybe we need a modren day robin hood

[itsamreman]

03:16 AM on 02/20/2011

I would like to say directly to Denny Rehberg, just what right do you think you have to pull this black rabbit out of your greedy deep pocket? I have been unemployed since October 2008 and at 53 years old and over 200 resumes later, am still seeking work. You and your so called "Constituants" or as I like to call you the "clowns of congress" are solely responsible for the crisis we're in today. I'm certain that my voice is mute to you and your cohorts in crime, Reps and Dems alike when I say that it is your moral obligation to extend unemployment benefits to us, so called 99ers! But then again, morals are most likely unknown to you, a man who's net worth is 6.5 to 56.1 million dollars! Just how can you call yourself a servant of the people when you pull the rug from beneath our feet and probably pick up what loose change fell from our pockets as you slither back to the hole you slithered out of to begin with!

[spinotter11]

10:24 AM on 02/20/2011

It is also the Democratic representatives who should be blamed. They know the House rules, and they proposed an amendment which does not pass muster. As representatives they know the score and are just doing this for show, not with any hope of really passing such an amendment.

[itsamreman]

12:47 PM on 02/20/2011

Thanks for clearing that up spinotter11. I'm not surprised though. That's why I call them the "Clowns of Congress", because they all hide behind a mask of deceit and would sell their sole for a dollar just to get re-elected. Most of them have been there so long, they are completely out of touch with reality, and have no clue what the working class goes through on a daily basis. It's like I've always said; when the sheets are pulled all the way back, they're all in bed together! Furthermore, if Rep. Barbara Lee presented this for political gain, knowing the bylaws would not allow it to even be introduced, she should be brought up on criminal charges! I loathe these politicians and the state our country is in because of them. Can you say "Term Limits" ?

[Kenz300]

03:54 PM on 02/19/2011

But tax cuts for the top 2% are OK.

People earning a million dollars needs a break. --- Give me a break.

Big business and billionaires bought the last election and now all the gullible
people that voted the Republicans in will see that they are only interested
in helping the top 2%.

[demilieu]

03:59 PM on 02/22/2011

Distribution of American wealth: The top 1% earn an average of 27 million dollars per household. The average income for the BOTTOM 90% of American households: $31,000! (Source: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph)