July 21st, 2010

The  unemployment benefits extension bill is here and the filibuster was lifted after a vote in the senate. The bill is said to be going to vote in the Senate soon.

The benefits extension will add $33 billion to the nation’s deficit.  Republicans say that we need to reign in spending if we ever have a shot at getting out of the recession, but then again they are on board for a $600 billion increase in the deficit through a measure that would extend Bush’s tax cuts.

Senator Robert Byrd passed away in the midst of this bill.  His replacement, Carte Goodwin, was sworn in yesterday.  This helped the measure pass in the Senate.

Obama sides with the unemployed, stating that the government has “a responsibility to offer emergency assistance to people who desperately need it” and an obligation to help families “make ends meet.”

Since June 2, 2010 Americans have been dropping off their tiers of unemployment benefits with no end in sight.

The measure needed 60 votes, which it received when Carte Goodwin was placed into office.  The extension will allow people to keep their tiers 1-4 benefits