GOP leaders agree to meet with Dems to discuss bill for long-term unemployed

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/22/99ers-bill-meeting-long-term-unemployed_n_838970.html


http://www.crewof42.com/?p=5043

http://www.crewof42.com/?p=5059

WASHINGTON -- Republican leaders in the House of Representatives have
agreed to meet with two Democrats to discuss longshot legislation for
the long-term unemployed, the members' offices confirmed Tuesday.

Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced
legislation earlier this year to provide 14 additional weeks of
unemployment benefits to Americans who've been out of work for six
months or longer. Lee and Scott have spoken frequently about the
struggles of so-called "99ers" -- people who still haven't found work
after exhausting the maximum 99 weeks of benefits available in some
states.

The Lee-Scott proposal received zero initial support from Republicans
because it would add roughly $16 billion to the federal budget deficit.
Lee and Scott later announced they'd be open to finding budget cuts to offset the cost of the benefits, something Democrats have generally refused to do for federal extended jobless aid typically enacted during recessions.

Given that concession, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) have agreed to meet with Lee and
Scott sometime in the next few weeks to discuss possible cuts to fund
the benefits.

“Speaker Boehner has said he would have an ‘open door’ policy for
Members of both parties in the Peoples’ House, and he meant it," Boehner
spokesman Michael Steel said in an email. "He is looking forward to
hearing Rep. Lee’s ideas for spending cuts that a majority in the House
of Representatives can support.”

Cantor's office suggested he would steer the conversation toward job
creation instead of just providing another 14 weeks of benefits.


"Leader Cantor looks forward to the meeting and would like to broaden
the conversation to focus on ways to grow the economy, spur investment
and create jobs rather than simply extending unemployment benefits in
some instance beyond the maximum of 99 weeks currently permitted," a
Cantor spokesman said Monday in a statement to the OC Register.

Cantor spokesman Brad Dayspring elaborated in an email to HuffPost:
"The point was basically that the Leader believes that the best
unemployment program in America is a job, so rather than only talking
about extending benefits, we should be having a broader conversation
about growing the economy, spurring investment, and allowing businesses
to hire."

Lee and Scott haven't suggested what they'd be willing to cut, and
House Democratic leaders have remained silent about the prospect of
offsetting the cost of unemployment benefits. Last year, then-Speaker
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told HuffPost
she considered offsetting benefits "a completely bad idea," though many
conservative Democrats have said they support doing so.

The National Employment Law Project estimated that 3.9 million Americans exhausted their unemployment benefits last year. The Congressional Research Service estimated
that as of October, 1.4 million Americans had been out of work for 99
weeks or longer. Anyone who had exhausted benefits and still hadn't
found work would be eligible for retroactive benefits under the
Lee-Scott proposal.

“Rep. Lee is encouraged that the Speaker has agreed to meet within
the next few weeks to discuss how to provide emergency benefits for
millions of long-term unemployed workers," Lee spokesman Joel Payne
said. "Despite her strong belief that this should be considered
emergency spending, the Congresswoman is committed to exhausting every
possible option for passing this bill."

Crap..... I just read Cantor's statement: Cantor's office suggested he would steer the conversation toward job creation instead of just providing another 14 weeks of benefits.

"Leader Cantor looks forward to the meeting and would like to broaden the conversation to focus on ways to grow the economy, spur investment and create jobs rather than simply extending unemployment benefits in some instance beyond the maximum of 99 weeks currently permitted," a Cantor spokesman said Monday in a statement to the OC Register.

He is such an As*wipe. I want to scream......

[quote="Jen"]


WASHINGTON -- Republican leaders in the House of Representatives have
agreed to meet with two Democrats to discuss longshot legislation for
the long-term unemployed, the members' offices confirmed Tuesday.

Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced
legislation earlier this year to provide 14 additional weeks of
unemployment benefits to Americans who've been out of work for six
months or longer. Lee and Scott have spoken frequently about the
struggles of so-called "99ers" -- people who still haven't found work
after exhausting the maximum 99 weeks of benefits available in some
states.

The Lee-Scott proposal received zero initial support from Republicans
because it would add roughly $16 billion to the federal budget deficit.

Lee and Scott later announced they'd be open to finding budget cuts to offset the cost of the benefits, something Democrats have generally refused to do for federal extended jobless aid typically enacted during recessions.

Given that concession, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) have agreed to meet with Lee and
Scott sometime in the next few weeks to discuss possible cuts to fund
the benefits.

“Speaker Boehner has said he would have an ‘open door’ policy for
Members of both parties in the Peoples’ House, and he meant it," Boehner
spokesman Michael Steel said in an email. "He is looking forward to
hearing Rep. Lee’s ideas for spending cuts that a majority in the House
of Representatives can support.”[/quote


Sorry but there was one more sentence at the end of this article that missed being posted:

"Cantor's office suggested he would steer the conversation toward job creation instead of just providing another 14 weeks of benefits."

Quiethawk wrote:Crap..... I just read Cantor's statement: Cantor's office suggested he would steer the conversation toward job creation instead of just providing another 14 weeks of benefits.

"Leader Cantor looks forward to the meeting and would like to broaden the conversation to focus on ways to grow the economy, spur investment and create jobs rather than simply extending unemployment benefits in some instance beyond the maximum of 99 weeks currently permitted," a Cantor spokesman said Monday in a statement to the OC Register.

He is such an As*wipe. I want to scream......

I hope he means something that would spur job creation in addition to an extension. We can't survive while waiting for months and months for job creation to take hold.

It does say "toward job creation instead of just providing" and "rather than simply extending" so, maybe that means both. Both needs to be done.

cantor can try and steer to job cration all he wants .they have done nothing to try and create jobs. they know dam well we need weeks

kjps12 wrote:cantor can try and steer to job cration all he wants .they have done nothing to try and create jobs. they know dam well we need weeks

Unemployment rates will be climbing in the not too distant future, with the rise in oil prices. Job creation my butt!

kjps12 wrote:cantor can try and steer to job cration all he wants .they have done nothing to try and create jobs. they know dam well we need weeks

They know we're dying out here and there are no jobs at all and more and more layoffs constantly. If they don't do something soon, things are going to get even more ugly in this country. Maybe they will do it to prevent an uprising like the middle east is having. They know that lack of jobs and hunger are what causes uprisings and Saudi Arabia even gave some money to their poor to prevent it. And they had better do something to stop the constant outsourcing of our jobs.

Michfemale11 wrote:
"Cantor's office suggested he would steer the conversation toward job creation instead of just providing another 14 weeks of benefits."

It's fixed now. I just went ahead and put the whole article instead of half like I had it.

another thing that bothers me he says the next couple of weeks. whats the matter with now his golf card filled up

Thanx to everyone who's been keep it up!!

Quiethawk wrote:Crap..... I just read Cantor's statement: Cantor's office suggested he would steer the conversation toward job creation instead of just providing another 14 weeks of benefits.

"Leader Cantor looks forward to the meeting and would like to broaden the conversation to focus on ways to grow the economy, spur investment and create jobs rather than simply extending unemployment benefits in some instance beyond the maximum of 99 weeks currently permitted," a Cantor spokesman said Monday in a statement to the OC Register.

He is such an As*wipe. I want to scream......

Cantor gives me the creeps whenever he's on the news or when his name is mentioned. Do these politicians get off on being ignorant? Rand Paul proved his ignorants in his reply to support for HR 589. How many days have they been in charge and nothings changed. Where's the jobs moron? Does Cantor live in America? or is he Chinese descent? Clueless!!! Maybe it's because he has *CAN'T* in his name and doesn't have the ability to get a clue. Those that are opposed to supporting the 99ers need to understand one day this cold-hearted effort will bring a wrath upon themselves and will have no one to blame but themselves.

Quiethawk wrote:Crap..... I just read Cantor's statement: Cantor's office suggested he would steer the conversation toward job creation instead of just providing another 14 weeks of benefits.

"Leader Cantor looks forward to the meeting and would like to broaden the conversation to focus on ways to grow the economy, spur investment and create jobs rather than simply extending unemployment benefits in some instance beyond the maximum of 99 weeks currently permitted," a Cantor spokesman said Monday in a statement to the OC Register.

He is such an As*wipe. I want to scream......

It's always something with these dam republicans.

Next few weeks, we need help now!!! and also I still dont believe the unemployment rate is improving, I think we are bein lied to!

This is good news guys! Don't read too much negative into statements. It's not like they're going to come out and say they'll get on board with it. Their base would have a fit.

I'll be in and out most of the day. We're trying to get the house ready for some of our 99er friends that will be homeless by the end of next month if nothing's done. We had some other friends toss some paint and carpet pieces in our direction so we're busting tail on fixing up the old 'fixer upper' a little bit.

Put the pressure on! Keep emailing, faxing, and tweeting Boehner. I'll be back in a little bit!

Here's the report from Crew of 42.

http://www.crewof42.com/?p=5043

Reps. Barbara Lee + Bobby Scott to meet Speaker Boehner + Majority Leader Cantor on 99ers Legislation. House
Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor have said
yes to a request to discuss unemployment benefits with the sponsors of H.R. 589, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Expansion Act of 2011.
Their legislation would extend unemployment benefits. In the current
budget environment, one that includes Speaker Boehner repeating that
“we’re broke,” a meeting with two CBC members on a bill that may cost
billions is quite noteworthy. Reps. Barbara Lee and Bobby Scott, in a
letter to the Speaker sent on March 8, 2011, which in part stated,”the
unemployment rate does not discriminate…” The unemployment rate in Ohio
is 9.2%. In Michigan it is 10.6%. In Virginia it’s 6.4%. Virginia
recently saw an unexpected spike in unemployment to 6.9% though the
unemployment rate has been generally low.
Keep in mind, the CBC has had many planned-then-canceled meetings in
February and March. CBC Chair Emanuel Cleaver has yet to meet with Vice
President Biden after that meeting was canceled by Biden in February.
Five CBC members have also yet to meet with Office of Management and
Budget Chair Jack Lew after Lew canceled three times. Luckily, Speaker
Boehner and ML Leader Cantor are right here on the premises so as
compared to the Biden/Lew planned meetings, this one is easily the most
likely to actually happen. Lee and Scott’s efforts are strengthened by
Barbara Lee’s membership on House Appropriations and Bobby Scott’s
friendly dealings with his Virginia homie Majority Leader Cantor.
From the Orange County Register, Mary Ann Milbourn: read this
“The Republicans showed some willingness to talk, although it appears
that differences remain. Cantor’s office released this statement Monday:
“Leader Cantor looks forward to the meeting and would like to broaden
the conversation to focus on ways to grow the economy, spur investment
and create jobs rather than simply extending unemployment benefits in
some instance beyond the maximum of 99 weeks currently permitted.”

At least this is a step in the right direction. I would love for the bill to include both extra weeks and some kind of job creation initiative that will actualy work.

Agreed, they have to talk....I refuse to read anything into any statement..trying to get inside a politicians mind is a scary proposition indeed....
The fact that they have agreed to meet is a VERY good thing..

Jen wrote:Hopefully, Crew of 42 will post something about this today. I'll be watching for it and add it here when it happens. It will come in my email as soon as they post it because I subscribed.
This is a good step in the right direction. We might actually see some movement on the bill. I hope so.

I hope they will post something too. If this is true then it is good news

I don't know if anyone else posted this, but here's the web site for the Crew of 42.

http://www.crewof42.com/

They also have a Twitter account.
@Crewof42

Jen wrote:Here's the report from Crew of 42.

http://www.crewof42.com/?p=5043

Reps. Barbara Lee + Bobby Scott to meet Speaker Boehner + Majority Leader Cantor on 99ers Legislation. House
Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor have said
yes to a request to discuss unemployment benefits with the sponsors of H.R. 589, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Expansion Act of 2011.
Their legislation would extend unemployment benefits. In the current
budget environment, one that includes Speaker Boehner repeating that
“we’re broke,” a meeting with two CBC members on a bill that may cost
billions is quite noteworthy. Reps. Barbara Lee and Bobby Scott, in a
letter to the Speaker sent on March 8, 2011, which in part stated,”the
unemployment rate does not discriminate…” The unemployment rate in Ohio
is 9.2%. In Michigan it is 10.6%. In Virginia it’s 6.4%. Virginia
recently saw an unexpected spike in unemployment to 6.9% though the
unemployment rate has been generally low.
Keep in mind, the CBC has had many planned-then-canceled meetings in
February and March. CBC Chair Emanuel Cleaver has yet to meet with Vice
President Biden after that meeting was canceled by Biden in February.
Five CBC members have also yet to meet with Office of Management and
Budget Chair Jack Lew after Lew canceled three times. Luckily, Speaker
Boehner and ML Leader Cantor are right here on the premises so as
compared to the Biden/Lew planned meetings, this one is easily the most
likely to actually happen. Lee and Scott’s efforts are strengthened by
Barbara Lee’s membership on House Appropriations and Bobby Scott’s
friendly dealings with his Virginia homie Majority Leader Cantor.
From the Orange County Register, Mary Ann Milbourn: read this
“The Republicans showed some willingness to talk, although it appears
that differences remain. Cantor’s office released this statement Monday:
“Leader Cantor looks forward to the meeting and would like to broaden
the conversation to focus on ways to grow the economy, spur investment
and create jobs rather than simply extending unemployment benefits in
some instance beyond the maximum of 99 weeks currently permitted.”

Great news. It is movement which is very good news

JaneWI wrote:I don't know if anyone else posted this, but here's the web site for the Crew of 42.

http://www.crewof42.com/

They also have a Twitter account.
@Crewof42

After reading the Huff Post article I went to their website about 40 minutes ago and nothing was there regarding the meeting. This just went up in the last few minutes

heres a question for someone to answer? say by some miracle that this bill gets passed does it mean that its upto each state to say if they will accept these federal dollars to pay these weeks

kjps12 wrote:heres a question for someone to answer? say by some miracle that this bill gets passed does it mean that its upto each state to say if they will accept these federal dollars to pay these weeks

I don't think so because it's not 'Federal EB?' I could be wrong. But these weeks will be added to tier I so everyone will benefit.

concernedinKY wrote:

kjps12 wrote:heres a question for someone to answer? say by some miracle that this bill gets passed does it mean that its upto each state to say if they will accept these federal dollars to pay these weeks

I don't think so because it's not 'Federal EB?' I could be wrong. But these weeks will be added to tier I so everyone will benefit.

My understanding is anyone who was able to collect tier 1 will be eligible.