Here's One Top Democrat's Plan To Win An Extension Of Unemployment Benefits
The Washington Post's Greg Sargent reports that Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is organizing Democrats to vote against any farm bill that does not also include an extension of emergency unemployment benefits.
Van Hollen, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee and a former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is considered an influential member of the caucus.
He says the farm bill, which generally enjoys bipartisan support but is especially important to Republicans representing rural districts, provides Democrats' next opportunity to force the Republican Party's hand on
House and Senate negotiators are currently trying to reconcile each side's version of the bill, which expires on January 1. Yesterday, the House passed a one month extension to give negotiators more time time to work out a deal. The Senate will take it up next week.
The farm bill is mainly made up of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and
The House failed to pass a comprehensive farm bill this summer, instead passing one that dealt with farm programs and a separate one for SNAP that cut benefits by $40 billion over 10 years. The comprehensive Senate bill includes $4 billion in SNAP cuts. The legislation that comes out of conference will include fewer cuts than many House Republicans will accept, forcing House Speaker John Boehner to need Democratic votes to pass the final bill. This is where Van Hollen sees an opportunity for House Democrats.
"Under no circumstances should we support the farm bill unless Republicans agree to use the savings from it to extend unemployment insurance," he told Sargent.
"I'm confident that the House Democratic leadership will look for every opportunity to extend unemployment insurance, helping struggling families and the economy. The farm bill reauthorization may be the first such opportunity."
Shortly after Christmas, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program expires and 1.3 million Americans will lose their jobless benefits. The program extends the length of time that unemployed workers could collect benefits from the standard 26 weeks to as long as 73 weeks, though the maximum duration of benefits varies by state.
In recent weeks, Democrats have pushed hard for another extension of the EUC. Sen. Patty Murray bargained with Rep. Paul Ryan last weekend about including it in their budget, but ultimately lost out. Majority Leader Harry Reid has said that he will push for an extension after New Years.
- Top temples to visit in India you must visit atleast once in a lifetime
- Top 10 adventure sports across India: Where to experience them in 2024
- Market recap: Valuation of 6 of top 10 firms declines by Rs 68,417 cr; Airtel biggest laggard
- West Bengal Elections: Rift among INDIA bloc partners triggers three-cornered intense contests
- Angel Investing Opportunities
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market