Topic Spotlight

Senate GOP blocks bill to extend UI benefits

Senate Republicans have blocked a bill that would extend unemployment insurance benefits. The legislation, which the House passed last week, would extend such benefits for workers who have exhausted their regular benefits. Those workers would receive up to 13 additional weeks of benefits in every state. Workers in states with high levels of unemployment--6 percent or more--could receive an additional 13 weeks.

Extension now may be included in war funding bill

Majority Leader Harry Reid on June 17 tried to bring the bill up for consideration by the Senate; however, Sen. John Kyle (R., Ariz.) objected, effectively blocking the bill. Reid now is expected to push to include the bill in a separate measure to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Bush opposes the legislation, arguing that the national unemployment rate of 5.5 percent is not high enough to warrant an extension of benefits. Note that the House did include a provision extending unemployment benefits in hich will be combined with a disaster assistance measure to assist midwest communitites and sent to the Senate as one piece of legislation (John Scorza, CCH Washington News Bureau).

For More Information

The Unemployment Insurance Reporter with Social Security provides complete coverage of federal and state unemployment insurance programs, with Social Security, including full-text of laws and regs, court decisions, and administrative rulings. Learn more.