Democratic Congressmen Eye Unemployment Benefits Extension
With more than one million people facing elimination of their long-term unemployment benefits this week, metro-Atlanta’s three Democratic U.S. congressmen say they’ll work to extend that federal aid when lawmakers meet again in the new year.As heard on the radio
Rep. John Lewis Monday said he’s confident Congress will pass legislation to continue funding emergency unemployment compensation when it reconvenes in early January.
“We will extend it,” Lewis said. “For how long, I don’t know. Maybe it will be a short-term [bill], but we will do it.”
Unless Congress acts in the coming days, long-term unemployment benefits are expected to expire Saturday as part of the across-the-board spending cuts, known as sequestration, that go into effect at the beginning of the year.
Rep. David Scott said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has told the party extending those benefits will be a top priority when lawmakers return Jan. 7.
“Reid has committed to the moment we get back, the first piece of appropriations – small appropriations bill – we’re going to try to attach that to it,” Scott said.
But even if Congress does pass legislation when it reconvenes, it likely wouldn’t come without 1.3 million people nationally – and more than 39,500 Georgians – seeing a gap in their benefits pay.
Representative Hank Johnson says he hopes a deal could be reached to retroactively pay out aid.
“We need to continue to put money in those people’s hands so they can continue to spend the money to create a more vigorous economy,” Johnson said.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates extending benefits another year will cost $25 billion.
Calls to Georgia’s nine Republican Congressmen were not returned.
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