After massive Republican delays, Jobless benefits bill passes 97-1
Harry Hope
http://michiganmessenger.com/29547/senate-finally-passes-unemployment-extension-bill
11/4/09
U.S. Senate finally passes unemployment extension bill
By Mike Lillis
WASHINGTON �
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday easily cleared the last procedural
barrier standing in the way of passing legislation to extend
unemployment insurance benefits as long as 20 weeks nationwide.
The count was 97 to one, with Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) the only
lawmaker to oppose the measure.
The lopsided vote clears the way for final passage of the bill, which,
without the consent of Republicans, could take place Thursday morning,
at the earliest.
......................................................................................................................
The bill extends unemployment benefits by at least 14 weeks in all
states, with an addition six weeks provided in the 27 states where
unemployment rates have topped 8.5 percent.
................................................................................................................................
The bill has been held up for nearly a month as party leaders battled
over a series of controversial amendments that Republican leaders
insisted get votes
.....................................................................................................................
The question now is whether Republican leaders will agree to final
passage before the 30-hour post-cloture debate clock expires, or if
they�ll drag this thing into Thursday.
_______________________________________________________
Yup. RePIGlicans sure don't give a shit about middle-class Americans,
do they.
Harry
Straightarrow
> http://michiganmessenger.com/29547/senate-finally-passes-unemployment...
>
> 11/4/09
>
> U.S. Senate finally passes unemployment extension bill
>
> By Mike Lillis
>
> WASHINGTON —
>
> The U.S. Senate on Wednesday easily cleared the last procedural
> barrier standing in the way of passing legislation to extend
> unemployment insurance benefits as long as 20 weeks nationwide.
>
> The count was 97 to one, with Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) the only
> lawmaker to oppose the measure.
>
> The lopsided vote clears the way for final passage of the bill, which,
> without the consent of Republicans, could take place Thursday morning,
> at the earliest.
>
>
> The bill extends unemployment benefits by at least 14 weeks in all
> states, with an addition six weeks provided in the 27 states where
> unemployment rates have topped 8.5 percent.
>
>
> The bill has been held up for nearly a month as party leaders battled
> over a series of controversial amendments that Republican leaders
> insisted get votes
>
>
> The question now is whether Republican leaders will agree to final
> passage before the 30-hour post-cloture debate clock expires, or if
> they’ll drag this thing into Thursday.
>
> _______________________________________________________
>
> Yup. RePIGlicans sure don't give a shit about middle-class Americans,
> do they.
>
> Harry
Hey Hairy. How can the (R)s STOP ANYTHING the demorats want to do??
Tell us. HOW ??!!
Stile4aly
Although the Republicans ultimately cannot prevent the bill from
passing, they can use the procedural rules of the Senate to create
delays. On a simple and uncontroversial matter like this that was
never in danger of failing to pass, they could have agreed to
unanimous adoption of the bill. By refusing to do so, they required a
vote to bring the bill to the floor requiring 30 hours of debate, and
then another vote to proceed requiring another 30 hours of debate, and
then a third vote to end debate and finally a vote to adopt the bill.
In the weeks it takes to accomplish this process, how many people
ended up with their unemployment benefits lapsing?
The Republicans claim they want to help people, and then they do this
sort of thing which has no purpose except to screw the little guy.
Straightarrow
>
> - Show quoted text -
Please be very kind and list the number of times the (R)s have used
the "procedural rules" to STOP ANYTHING the progressives have tried to
shove down our throats. I think you bedwetting,anklebiting Obomarxists
need to look in your own backyard for any problems ObamaLosi have had
passing their progressive agenda.
Stile4aly
>
> - Show quoted text -
Sure, the legislative history of the bill is available here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR03548:@@@S
As you can see, on 10/21, 10/27, and 10/29 there were moves to invoke
cloture. These moves were to invoke cloture by unanimous consent.
Each time, a Republican refused to provide unanimous consent. Each
time a cloture vote comes up, it allows for 30 hours of debate. The
Republicans chose to use that 30 hours of debate each time. Some good
was done in that the homebuyer tax credit was extended, but most of it
was spent up trying to do useless things like defunding ACORN (which,
of course, receives no direct federal dollars).
Finally on 10/27 cloture was invoked allowing the bill to begin the
process to be approved by a vote, rather than by unanimous consent
(though they tried again on the 29th and the 2nd to get unanimous
consent). Today the 30 hours of debate expired and a bill that was
pass 5 weeks ago in the House finally passed the Senate on a vote of
97 - 1 with 2 abstentions.
Now, what was the purpose for the Republicans to delay passage of this
bill given that it extended unemployment benefits to people who are
suffering? How can this be interpreted any other way except for the
Republicans trying to frustrate a Democratic majority at the expense
of people who need those benefits?
liberal2
wrote:
> In article <0d7c864f-81f3-4ceb-9847-ffdc6501f...@k19g2000yqc.googlegroups.com>,
>
> Straightarrow <hoofhearte...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > lease be very kind and list the number of times the (R)s have used
> > the "procedural rules" to STOP ANYTHING the progressives have tried to
> > shove down our throats. I think you bedwetting,anklebiting Obomarxists
> > need to look in your own backyard for any problems ObamaLosi have had
> > passing their progressive agenda.
>
Could the bill stipulate only those receiving unemployment when the
bill is signed into law will be eligible for the extended benefits?
>
> --
> Damn the living - It's a lovely life. I'm whoever you want me to be.
> Silver silverware - Where is the love? At least I can stay in character.
> Oval swimming pool - Where is the love? Annoying Usenet one post at a time.
> Damn the living - It's a lovely life. We support you, Sarah.