Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Boehner Signals Reluctance in the House

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has said the Senate emergency unemployment extension bill is “unworkable” in a blog entry posted to his website by his press office.

The comment suggests that – if the Senate bipartisan unemployment extension bill passes – Boehner may not allow the bill to be considered in the House. By preventing the bill from being considered and voted on, Boehner shields others, who are against extending unemployment insurance, from having their opposition reflected in their voting record.

The blog post explained that the unemployment extension was “unworkable” because there are concerns that issuing the unemployment checks would “be costly, difficult to administer, and [it would be] difficult to determine an individual’s eligibility.”

The National Employment Law Project (NELP) issued a press release in response saying, “This is nothing but a callow excuse to try to justify, yet again, abandoning the nation’s long-term unemployed.”

Other congressional leaders in favor of the unemployment compensation extension were quick to express frustration, including Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

With 60 votes in support of the extension expected in the Senate – including five from Senate Republicans – the extension is predicted to pass the Senate next week. In the event Boehner attempts to prevent the bill from being brought to the floor, House Democrats, including Pelosi, have already begun collecting signatures for a discharge petition. With 218 signatures, the rarely used maneuver would force a vote. At most recent count, there are about 191 representatives already in support of the unemployment compensation petition.

The following are resources to make sure politicians continue to hear your voice on emergency unemployment compensation (EUC):

  • Urge your representative to support the unemployment extension when the issue comes up in the House by entering your zip code here. You’ll be directed to a letter put together by the Half in Ten campaign.
  • Thank the senators and representatives who have fought so hard to extend emergency unemployment benefits, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) by looking up their contact information here. Let them know extending the emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) program still makes a difference, and you are still watching.
  • Call your representative using this number, provided by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME): 877-363-6141.
  • Sign a petition to the White House, bringing the president’s attention to the issue and prompting a response, here. Since calling this petition to your attention, an additional 1,700 people have signed, but many more signatures are needed.
  • Sign MoveOn.org’s petition to restore emergency unemployment insurance here.
  • Share your story via our webform here, which we will share with representatives and journalists to highlight the urgency of renewing unemployment insurance.
  • Join our Google Group to share stories and resources with others who are either unemployed or passionate about the issue.
  • Stay in touch with the Center for Effective Government by signing up for our e-mail updates and action alerts here.

 

The stories shared by our readers have deeply moved us. Click the button below to view our "Emergency Unemployment Benefits Stories Page". We've featured stories from those impacted by the expiration of emergency unemployment benefits, as well as a counter reflecting the number of Americans impacted.

 

 

For Further Reading:

Emergency Unemployment Benefits Are Not ForgottenThe Fine Print blog, Feb. 26, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Ways to Take ActionThe Fine Print blog, March 6, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Time to Petition the GovernmentThe Fine Print blog, March 12, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Compromise in the SenateThe Fine Print blog, March 14, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits: Boehner Signals Reluctance in the HouseThe Fine Printblog, March 21, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits Extension Clears First Hurdle in the SenateThe Fine Printblog, March 28, 2014

Extending Emergency Unemployment: Senate Finally Expected to Vote to Extend Benefits   and Rush through Corporate Tax CutsThe Fine Print blog, April 2, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Benefits Bill Passes the Senate, Increasing Pressure on the HouseThe Fine Print blog, April 8, 2014

Stories of Americans Cut Off of Emergency Unemployment CompensationGovernment Matters, April 22, 2014

Emergency Unemployment Extension Expected to Take Back Seat to Tax ExtendersThe Fine Print blog, April 25, 2014

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And spent the better part of the night writing to both Dem, Rep of NJ last night... I urged them to read my letter before congress and even asked them to debate me on the matter.
I am against aid for Ukraine. The obvious reason is we need to spend on the American people (like us) who are hurting before we give to another country. The other reason is that I no longer buy into the idea that the U.S and the West are the "good guys" and Russia are the "bad guys". Sorry, we aren't that good anymore.
MarioR@3:03 I know you didn't actually think that would happen. NOW IF YOU WOULD'VE SAID I AM A DESCENDANT OF UKRAINE AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO MY PEOPLE...now you can bet they would've read that live on TV today. LoL
To this man specifically, Menendez is I feel a strong Dem for NJ and about the only one with a voice.... If we left it to Booker to handle this who idea would have never been brought to light....
Honestly, I knew it would be pointless but at this point, Honestly, what else have we got to lose....
C-SPAN wrap-up on EUC speeches: Senator Jack Reed (D-RI): 1) He thanked his fellow Senators for their support with the EUC bill. 2( He called out Boehner and other reluctant Republicans who want to hold up passing EUC. He said that Boehner's statements on the implementing of EUC as "unworkable" is, "ridiculous and unfounded!" He sighted examples such as the Labor Secretary Perez stating all his concerns had a workable solution. He stated in the past the EUC had done the same thing, expired, then passed and retro-payments were made. 3) He looks forward to the ability to pass EUC this week for the millions of unemployed. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV): 1) Thanked Senators and fellow Republicans for compromise and getting EUC bill to the floor for passage this week 2) Stated facts and statistics on EUC. He said the Senate needs to pass this bill quickly for the millions of people needing the assistance. He said, " Too many Americans are out of work still, they need this safety net now!" 3) The Senator said in closing, "The implementation of the EUC bill might not be the easiest thing to do, but it's the RIGHT THING TO DO!"
Tired in texs...Wow! How the hell did you type all that that fast. Good info though....
Thats a cool little wrap up Tex....
Thanks Tex
I am willing to help anyone in our EUC family! Let's kick some butt!