Unemployment benefits expire for thousands

Rate this article

Be the first to comment

Jobless benefits expired Monday for tens of thousands of unemployed individuals, and Democrats and Republicans—who currently are on spring break—continued to argue about whether to extend the benefits when Congress returns next week, according to The Baltimore Sun.

The core of the dispute involves whether to pay for extended benefits through revenue increases or budget cuts.

Two weeks ago, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said the $9 million measure, which already was approved by the House, would add to the federal deficit. His objection was similar to an objection from Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) in March regarding another extension. However, failure to extend the benefits that expired Monday means 212,000 unemployed people will lose benefits this week.

Democrats want the extension to be considered "emergency spending," which can be added to the deficit and is not funded by specific cuts or new revenue.

4/7/2010

Comments (0)	Login to post a comment or rating
There are no comments posted.