Emergency Unemployment Extension Expected to Take Back Seat to Tax Extenders

On Monday, the House recess ends, and representatives will be returning to Washington.

Before the recess, the Senate passed legislation to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program, supporting the retroactive extension of assistance to job-seekers who are struggling to find employment in a rough job market. In theory, representatives have spent the last two weeks in their home districts interacting with and getting feedback from their constituents, including on long-term unemployment insurance.

While the House was out, we learned a few new facts about the health of the middle class and the opportunities available to working Americans, all of which support the argument that working Americans are facing real challenges in getting ahead.

  • The American middle class is no longer the world’s richest. Increases in American middle-class income have failed to grow at the pace seen in other countries, and poorer Americans are even worse off when compared internationally. After-tax middle-class incomes are now highest in Canada, and other countries such as Norway and the Netherlands are catching up.

  • Working Americans are vulnerable. Forty-three percent of Americans say that if they were out of work for a month, they would encounter significant financial hardship.

  • The number of the long-term unemployed has remained unchanged at approximately 3.7 million. These individuals, who are defined as those who have been jobless for more than 27 weeks, account for 35.8 percent of the total number of Americans who are unemployed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

Given these statistics and the ongoing hardships millions of Americans are facing every day, one would think that the House would be poised to act on the EUC extension with a sense of urgency.

So what do we know about the House’s schedule for the next week?

As politicians return to Washington on Monday, leadership in the House of Representatives has the ability to bring the extension of emergency unemployment compensation to the floor for a vote. The benefits would assist more than 2.5 million Americans who are actively looking for jobs but are unable to find them in a rough job market.

But Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is unlikely to bring the bill to the floor. While speaking to an audience after the Senate passed a bill to extend the EUC program, Boehner insisted that a new proposal be brought forward. Essentially, he told the Senate to start over. He also echoed previous comments that the package must be paid for (it is) and insisted that it include “things that would help get our economy moving” (without the bill’s passage, 240,000 jobs could be lost). Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) are reportedly planning to meet with Boehner to discuss the bill.

So what legislation will the House be working on next week?

Tax extenders. An expensive collection of tax give-aways that overwhelmingly benefit corporations is expected to be the first matter of business for the House on Tuesday. These tax breaks include incentives for corporations to move profits and jobs overseas. Included in this package is the “GE Loophole,” which helped General Electric – a household name in the United States – to avoid paying taxes on $27.5 billion in profits between 2008 and 2012 by moving profits offshore.

The House majority seems more than willing to extend a helping hand to corporations, whose profits are at all-time highs, but for working families, House leadership continues to deliberately delay and obstruct needed assistance.

 

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.

  • Call your representative using this number, provided by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME): 877-363-6141.

  • Share your story via our web form 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.

  • Find links to the Center for Effective Government's recent blog posts on unemployment insurance here.

 

For Further Reading:

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

Technically Speaking: Making Sense of Discharge Petitions, Cloture and FilibustersThe Fine Print blog, May 5, 2014

Unemployed Americans Kicked Out of Capitol, Forced to Share Their Stories OutsideThe Fine Print, May 10, 2014

Six Months after Emergency Unemployment Benefits Expired, 2.8 Million Americans Left BehindThe Fine Print, May 20, 2014

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Weekly Legislative Schedule April 25, 2014 Posted By: Sarah Kish THE LEADER'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE WEEK OF APRIL 28TH MONDAY, APRIL 28TH On Monday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) S. 994 - The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (Sponsored by Sen. Mark Warner / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 2) H.R. 4192 - To amend the Act entitled "An Act to regulate the height of buildings in the District of Columbia" to clarify the rules of the District of Columbia regarding human occupancy of penthouses above the top story of the building upon which the penthouse is placed, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 3) H.R. 4194 - The Government Reports Elimination Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 4) H.R. 298 - To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the significance of the Mill Springs Battlefield located in Pulaski and Wayne Counties, Kentucky, and the feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System (Sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers / Natural Resources Committee) 5) H.R. 4032 - North Texas Invasive Species Barrier Act of 201, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ralph Hall / Natural Resources Committee) 6) H.R. 3110 - Huna Tlingit Traditional Gull Egg Use Act (Sponsored by Rep. Don Young / Natural Resources Committee) 7) H.R. 930 - To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the archeological site and surrounding land of the New Philadelphia town site in the State of Illinois (Sponsored by Rep. Aaron Schock / Natural Resources Committee) 8) H.R. 4120 - To amend the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to extend the termination date (Sponsored by Rep. Steny Hoyer / Natural Resources Committee) 9) H.R. 1501 - Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument Preservation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries / Natural Resources Committee) TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 627 - National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Erik Paulsen / Financial Services Committee) 2) H.R. 4167 - Restoring Proven Financing for American Employers Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr / Financial Services Committee) 3) H.R. ___ - Gold Medal Technical Corrections Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Rep. John Lewis / Financial Services Committee) H.R. 4414 - Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act of 2014 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. John Carney / Ways & Means Committee) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30TH AND THURSDAY, MAY 1ST On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. H.R. 4486 - Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. John Culberson / Appropriations Committee) H.R. 4487 - Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2015 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Cole / Appropriations Committee) FRIDAY, MAY 2ND On Friday, no votes are expected.
They will be in session 12 days in may they are as follows 1st,6th,7th,8th,9th, they are off the 12th thru the 18th, 19th 20th 21st 22nd, 28th 29th 30th. Gotta love it geez
TNT Please explain one thing to me, maybe I just don't get it, but Boehner keeps screaming Jobs creation, but they are constantly sending jobs overseas. It doesn't make sense.
Good Evening EUC FAMILY, One, and ALL; I just Wanted to take this time to Thank Jessica for Facilitated US here on the Cntr4EffGov Blog Site; and to The Center (Support Staff as a whole) For Effective Government. WE Appreciate this "Valuable Venue" to Effectively Advocate For the Passage Of the Retroactive EUC Bill Voted on in the House (April 7, 20140). Our Earnest Prayer Is that this same EUC Bill Will be Immediately Acted Upon As The Congressional House Re-Convenes on Monday (April 28, 2014), and Restore this Vital Financial "Life-Line" to Over 2Million American Working-Class Families (Currently On the Verge of Homelessness, Evictions, Repossessions, Loss of Insurance (Health,,Auto & Life) Utilities Shut-Offs, Disconnection of Phone and Internet Services and Lack of Proper Daily Food Diet Needs; in addition to the Devastating Toll on Individuals' Self-esteem - leading many into "Deep-Depression & some into Despair". We Implore Our Elected Officials to IMMEDIATELY Vote For the SWIFT Passage of this Senate "Passed" EUC Bill. The Long Term Unemployed here in the United States Plea For "FINANCIAL DISASTER RELIEF!". We're NOT Wall Street; We're MAIN Street, USA. We have Endured Over 90Days Of "Economical Famine" Not In Africa; but Here In the Land Of The Free & The Home Of the Brave... Even Our Commander-In-Chief has FORGOTTEN US. The Young Girl gave First Lady Obama Her Fathers' Resume (Aaaw... Then dropped it on the Table!. Just Like the President & First Lady Photo-Opp'd Missy DeMars during the January State Of The Union Address; and Since Seemingly has a case of "Amnesia" regarding the Plight of Nearly 3Million Americans Adversely Affected by this Bipartisan Stalemate Of the Current EUC Bill. We Believe that Our President had Utilized as much "Executive Heat & Fervor" as he did in the Passage Of Obama Care; Our Collective Sufferings Would Have Been RESOLVED (at least 60Days Ago) Mr. President, LET'S GET THIS THING DONE!... The Passage Of this EUC Bill will not Manifest Unless IT'S KEPT ON The FRONT BURNER!. (Like EQUAL-PAY and the Affordable Health CARE Act). Read the Story Of OUR EUC Brother Joe (Blogged Here - 2Hours Ago). Like Joe, We ALL Have Endured "UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL-HARDSHIPS" Via This House Stalemate!. Enough-Is-Enough!. STOP The Political Gamesmanship and PUT AMERICA (Economy) & AMERICANS (Working-Class) FIRST!. Why Have OUR Elected Officials BETRAYED U.S.?... S.O.S. SEND EUC DISASTER RELIEF TO MILLIONS OF U.S. TAXPAYERS. They Sent AIDE To Ukraine Without One Days' Stalemate!. Joe, Your EUC FAMILY Have Not Forgotten You Brother. United WE Stand; AMERICAN STRONG!....... May GOD Bless US, Everyone....... Amen. ******* Family Chaplain *******
I don't think the tears and worry are going to stop this time. I feel myself and many, many others slipping further and further away into deep depression!! I don't know what else to do! Im tired, Im sick, I can't go to the Dr because I don't have the money. But our own government just doesn't care about us. Why???? I pray daily that they bring this to vote when they return. I keep thinking they can't put it off because the bill wad only good until the end of May. You know if they would jut give us that up until June, I think it would help us all. It would make us feel human again. I will continue to pray because I have the strength of the faith that my mother did in her prayers. If it isn't answered perhaps there is a reason. For now I'll try to wipe my tears and I'll will pray for us all.
Only 63 percent of working-age Americans have a job or are actively looking for one -- the lowest share of the population participating in the labor force since 1978. (The population of working-age Americans here includes anyone over the age of 16, including those who have retired and students). And while the jobless rate fell last month, the drop was due in large part to the long-term unemployed giving up on looking for work. "Some of this is due to the fact that Baby Boomers retiring -- but only some," HuffPost's Mark Gongloff wrote last month. "Most of it has to do with the fact that the economy is still too weak to create enough jobs to draw people into the market. This is most clearly evident in the fact that younger people are leaving the labor force, too -- or never even entering it -- because they can't find jobs."
Barbara: None of this makes sense! No other EUC bill has had to be paid for, create jobs etc as this one messed to. The politicians bend the rules, make the rules, make excuses etc as they please. When they want to pass a bill quickly (as in relief to other countries) they can. The politicians have created a cocoon where they have insulated them selves from reality, their purpose, and the American people!
Barbara the republicans philosophy is they want to destroy the democratic voting base so they will be re-elected to congress. They believe that 26 weeks of unemployment is more than enough to find another job.The republicans have drifted way to the right via the tea party ideals. In the past they would extend unemployment because the unemployment rate was at 10% but due to recent data it suggests there are enough jobs out there to bring an end to the government aid to the unemployed. To sum it all up with the president refusing to negotiate and still not enough signatures on the discharge petition our plight is hopeless at best.
I'm very hurt that the congress would send money all around the world and do nothing for the people. The first goal for congress should be take care of the people of the USA first! Why would they give a tax break to companies that take jobs away from the USA. What really gets under my skin is why people that live in the districts that voted these crazy men in office, are not saying anything? People please remember to vote in November 2014 for a change!!!!
Bonnbus, I've run-out Of tears and Now the Survival-Instinct has "kicked-in". Make-up in Your Mind "I Will Live & Not Die!" We Refuse to Take-Down!. Let's Resolve To take Our Adversity and Hand-Deliver It To the Office Of Our Local Congressional District Officials Offices. We Don't have much to operate with; but If It Takes Bus-fare Let's Organize a EUC Protest Downtown With Hand Made Signs "RELEASE OUR EUC LIFE-LINE!". If WE Can't afford to Take Our Cause To the Streets; then Phone, Email or Tweet You State Senators Office. We've Cried with No Results; NOW Let's Become Tenacious Activist and DEMAND This Wealthy Senators Do the Job That WE Elected Them To Do!. No More Excuses and NO More RECESSES!... Until WE GET THIS THING DONE!... bonnbus, Enough Is Enough!. And WE The People are Not Going To Take This Any Longer!. Pray and Stand! By Faith and DETERMINATION That We Deserve Better. This Is OUR Cause.... Amen