A Democratic plan to provide additional aid to jobless workers, businesses and cash-strapped states and raise taxes on investment fund managers failed in the U.S. Senate.
The bill, which also would have provided more aid to cash-strapped states for the Medicaid health program for the poor, fell a few votes short of the 60 needed to advance in the 100-member Senate. One Democrat, Ben Nelson, joined 40 Republicans to block the measure.
Democrats argued that the bill would have helped shore up the fragile U.S. economic recovery, a priority for President Barack Obama’s administration.
The White House said Republicans had blocked critical aid for unemployed Americans and cash-strapped U.S. states, and vowed to continue pressing Congress to pass the bill.
“The President has been clear: Americans should not fall victim to Republican obstruction at a time of great economic challenge for our nation’s families,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
Democrats, who control 59 seats in the Senate, have been pushing to win over a few Republicans by paring back the package that at one point would have added about $80 billion to the deficit over 10 years.
“Senators expressed concern about the size of the bill. So we cut the total size of this bill from $200 billion to $140 billion. And then to $118 billion. And then to less than $110 billion today,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus.
That still left about $35 billion in deficit spending and Republicans argued that was too much.
“The only thing Democrats are insisting on in this debate is that we add to the debt,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said.
STATES SEEK MEDICAID FUNDS
Republicans offered a one-month extension of unemployment insurance benefits for the long-term unemployed plus continued health insurance aid paid for by using unspent money from the economic stimulus plan enacted last year. Democrats objected saying diverting money meant to help create jobs to pay for unemployment benefits would not help the economy.
States have been pushing Congress to extend extra Medicaid funding that was provided in last year’s economic stimulus package. Many governors were counting on it as they prepare next year’s budgets. Democrats argued that without the funding many states would be forced to lay off teachers and other workers or raise taxes.
New York Democratic Governor David Paterson told WOR radio that about 30 states — including New York — had counted on the extra Medicaid dollars for their budgets. “We were almost guaranteed that we would get that money back in January, that was almost a foregone conclusion,” he said.
Reid said a number of governors would be in Washington next week to push for the package.
The $13 trillion debt and $1.4 trillion deficit are major issues ahead of the November congressional elections, in which Republicans hope to regain control of Congress.
Separately, a measure that would stop a 21 percent pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives. The Senate passed the measure last week when it became clear the jobs bill was faltering amid partisan bickering over its cost.
How many workers has Brad hired lately,and would he use goverment money in form of tax breaks to hire them. The point is not willingness to work it is where to work.Americans are the best workers in the world, farmers, office workers, factory, service,just keep the workforce going.
People aren’t happy to lose their job. I have friends and family that can’t even get a part-time job. Republicans didn’t care about cost or debt when they pushed their pet programs when Bush was in office. How can anyone be so cold hearted to see people without houseing and food. Not eveyone has someone to move in with. We bailed out the banks and companies who caused this mess but nothing for the little guy while CEO’s walked away with bonuses for makeing their companies fail. This is a joke!
I think Stan called it. The unemployment benefits that have been promised for the past year by the Democrats, and are desperately needed by many honest, hard working victims of this depression, are being deliberately held hostage by BO’s and the Democrat’s desire to ‘pork up’ the package with stimulus (slush) funds for their cronies. If the Democrats really were sincerely concerned about helping people, they would vote for the measures separately, not try to sneak money to their friends. Don’t blame the Republicans for this mess – they are just trying to keep the money going to the people who really need it.
@FairPlay: I will blame the republicans for not allowing a straight up-or-down vote on this vital bill that is critical to so many hard-working Americans. This is not the time to cut and run on those who are at their most vulnerable.
Fellow patriots, don’t be fooled by the liberal opinions being posted on this comment blog. The Democrats are trying to delude the public into believing their progressive propaganda and gin up anti-Republican spin so they can maintain control and continue to crush the American people.
Fair Play Today at 1:01 pm
I think Stan called it. The unemployment benefits that have been promised for the past year by the Democrats, and are desperately needed by many honest, hard working victims of this depression, are being deliberately held hostage by BO’s and the Democrat’s desire to ‘pork up’ the package with stimulus (slush) funds for their cronies. If the Democrats really were sincerely concerned about helping people, they would vote for the measures separately, not try to sneak money to their friends. Don’t blame the Republicans for this mess – they are just trying to keep the money going to the people who really need it.
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That sums it up well !
Obama could issue an executive order to use some of remaining unspent stimulus money to pay the promised but unfunded unemployment payments, but instead they would rather play politics to get more for their government union supporters with all their $100K/year jobs in danger of missing a raise.
@Fairplay: America! Love it or leave it, you commie pinko. I’ve had all the America-bashing I can take for one day from haters like you who hate democracy and freedom and all the things that made America great.
just got off the phone with our two glorious, dedicated,a-hole senators and am receiving conflicting lies on the extension bill. Burris the tourist’s (he’s only visiting the senate) office is saying the bill is dead. While turbin durbin’s office is staying with the lie that the bill is still alive and he is working his hardest to get votes. I told them both they should at the very least tell the same bs lies. What weasels!!!! Everyone will love this one…in the finance bill there is money set aside to help the unemployed refinance their mortgages.They just don’t get it!!!!!
Linda, good reporting. Thanks for the facts.
Fair Play, Not a problem. Unfortunately it will not pay the bills or put food on my family’s table. I think everyone of the senators in that room should be voted out of office. Like I posted earlier what these senators have done to the unemployed is probably worse than the greedy companies that are responsible for the mass layoffs and high unemployment. This includes all of the greedy companies that shipped out all of the customer service, clerical,IT jobs to India and China. The senate should be ashamed! Unemployment should be extended until there is a unemployment rate of 8% as was promised by the trillion dollar stimulus bill. The funds should be taken out of the unspent stimulus money or even the interest the treasury is receiving from the tarp funds.
Linda, I know how you feel. I too have suffered from the progressive’s bad policies. If the administration would get their iron boot off of the neck of American businesses and taxpayers, and also quit changing the rules every day so they can give the government more power, you would see an amazing recovery. I think that if we keep paying attention to the politicians who vote in the high tax and spend policies, and entitlement programs, and then vote them out of office, we can turn this around. Hang in there.
Fair play, did you know 42/43 invaded a sovereign nation, that never attacked us, with no way to pay for it? How about when he signed legislation that created the Biggest Socialist Entitlement program in the history of the United States of America…with no way to pay for it. Its the obstructionist, Al Queda conservatives who have ruined this country. If you and your merry band of sodomites dont like it here, then leave. You all hate this country. Obviously.
Fellow patriots, have you noticed in these blogs that whenever someone is using propaganda tactics, they try to switch the discussion by calling other bloggers that don’t support their opinions disrespectful names and using hot button statements (it’s Bush’s fault that …) to incite an emotional response? That’s when I know that I am not dealing with someone who is honestly trying to evaluate the issues.
Mark – two things. 1) Head to your local walgreens. Aisle 4 – Midol take it! 2) be sure to pull that thong underwear out from your crack before you head out in heels this weekend to spend your welfare check. It might help you loosen up a little.
Cheers!
This sense of entitlement is nauseating. Take some time off and travel to other countries where poverty looms with no safety net whatsoever. People don’t want to see their taxes raised, but then want handouts from Uncle Sam. Sorry, the free ride is over! Lower your cost of living, give up the luxuries, take the bus and turn the car back in or let it get repossessed. Simplify your life people! And learn to live WELL BELOW your means.
Fellow patriots: I guess its all a bad dream. On September 20, 2001…from the Oval Office…President George Bush proposed a “Freedom Tax” that would free us from our oil addiction, and pay for the upcoming invasion of Afghanistan. It sailed thru congress without even a single no vote. In early 2003, he also proposed and Congress passed the “Patriot” tax to pay for the war in Iraq. And lastly when he signed into law the Medicare/caid Prescription Benefit…that was paid for too, and not added to the deficit. Does anybody else remember this? We still have the surplus from when William Jefferson Clinton was President!
Brad: Please explain to the class what exactly was the corresponding reduction in spending to pay for the Iraq War and the Medicare/caid Prescription benefit which were added to the “china mastur-card”.
Mark – I’m not sure anyone on this forum has been sticking up for Bush. So what is your point? Does your post make the current administration’s lack of competence ok? Apparently so.
Also, can you send me a link explaining this “freedom tax” you speak of? i’d like some support and I can’t find anything about it on my own. After that why don’t you read the article from liberal NYT by following the link below. Mr. Clinton’s surpluses mean nothing when you see where the mortgage meltdown began. He required Fannie to make loans to unqualified individuals. Read and weep.
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/30/business/fannie-mae-eases-credit-to-aid-mortgage-lending.html?sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Brad: There was no “Freedom Tax”. Although he could have proposed it that night and it would have passed. He had the world behind him. I’ve read the same story about the mortgage meltdown and the sudden concern for deficits on the american Al-Jazeera (Fox) website.
The bottom line is the unemployment benefits should be extended. I’m grateful for the benefits, and the subsidized COBRA at the moment. I quit drinking, I went back to school in mid-life to get an education, more than my parents had. I pulled myself up by my bootstraps, just like Reagan said to do. also explained earlier that I understand the how my job application looks to the local fast food, big box, coffee-house manager. Why should they hire me? I’m over-qualified. I I AM going to leave when I get something in my field. I’m a liability (cost) to them. I get it. I worked in business before I went back to school. This is a terrible position to be in. To those who are lucky enough to be working, be thankful.
Mark – i wish you luck, but comparing conservatives to Al Qaeda and communists does nothing but support the fact you’re jobless. Also, comparing Fox to Al-Jazeera is just as stupid. The link I provided was from 1999 and the NYT. Rip conservatives all you want but remember this: If you are ever in a fight for your life, I’d bet you’d want some gun-toting, arse-kicking conservatives on your team, not some free-spirit, pot-smoking progressive. I get these are stereotypes, but you get the gist. Peace activists have never liberated anyone. Don’t forget it and good luck.
Also, posting BS that is totally false as you did above is childish and idiotic. I’m glad I called you out on it.
“President George Bush proposed a “Freedom Tax” that would free us from our oil addiction, and pay for the upcoming invasion of Afghanistan. It sailed thru congress without even a single no vote.”
LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE. Smart people research BS people like you try to spread. Try becoming one of us.
Rush Limbaugh has said for years his radio idol was John “Records” Landecker (Record is TRULY his middle name). His show is shtick. My post was shtick, just like my idol and hero, Rush. Be well, Brad.
Brad
Do you get a high off of this.
Too many people are being sheltered from the terrible decisions/laws made by Congress, the unemployment benefits extension pacifier is RUINING AMERICA bu increasing our debt to bribe people to stay quiet.
@Brad: Sure looks like you get a “high” off of this. You still never answered my question. Where was the offset in spending to pay for the Iraq War? The Medicare/caid Prescription Benefit? Looking forward to your answer. Thanx.
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