House Votes To Extend Unemployment Benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than 200,000 jobless workers in Michigan would be eligible for a six-month extension of unemployment benefits under a measure approved by the House on Thursday, but the bill faces an uncertain future.

The extension was part of a funding plan for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would provide a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits for people whose payments have expired and give an additional 13 weeks in states with high jobless rates.

''Michigan job hunters will find relief with an additional 26 weeks to find a good-paying job,'' said Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Flint.

Michigan has had one of the nation's most challenging job markets. Its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in April, a slight decrease from the March rate of 7.2 percent. Hurt by job losses in the manufacturing sector and auto industry, an estimated 346,000 people in Michigan lacked a job in April, according to state estimates.

The extension of unemployment benefits was part of an amendment that would increase educational benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The funding would come from a tax surcharge on the wealthy and small businesses.

The Senate is expected to consider a similar measure next week, but the bill faces a veto threat from President Bush. The White House has registered its dissatisfaction with the non-war spending, the tax surcharge and any restrictions on the Iraq war.

Michigan officials estimated that the extensions could help between 226,000 and 245,000 unemployed workers in Michigan.

All six Democrats in the Michigan delegation supported the measure, along with Republican Reps. Candice Miller of Macomb County's Harrison Township, Fred Upton of St. Joseph and Joe Knollenberg of Oakland County's Bloomfield Township.

The remaining six Republicans in the state's delegation opposed the amendment. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, said the troops deserved ''unconditional support'' and the funding levels should ''not require a tax increase on small businesses.''

Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, said the measure would mean a $54 billion tax increase for small business owners and employees and called the vote ''nothing more than classic Washington, D.C. politics.''

Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, said opposition to the extension was ''unconscionable.''

Levin read a letter from a constituent in Roseville whose husband lost his job as a machinist. The author wrote, ''the fear that unemployment benefits may run out is something no family should have to face.''

Knollenberg said he supported the extension because the state's ''struggling families and unemployed workers need the help.''

''Though this is hardly a perfect solution to get us there, getting them the help they need is what's most important,'' Knollenberg said in a statement.

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Unemployed for Life 5/16/2008 2:07:00 PM I just don't understand why there is a need to extend unemployment benefits. If the object is to provide for individuals and families until the breadwinner(s) get back to work, then make the benefit for life (or until they take a job). I'm serious, if 13 weeks is not long enough for someone to take a job, then what is? We let in bucket loads of legal and illegal immigrants into this country and they all have jobs. They support their families here as well as extended families abroad. They do so in occupations that unemployed do not want and at wages that the unemployed will not accept. So, let's come up with a length of time that works for everyone. Make it a law and be done with it.
Unemployed for Life 5/16/2008 3:30:00 PM Benefit for life, is that not called retirement? I have another 6 years but if you want to extend unemployment benefits for life then by all means lay me off!
Unemployment for life 5/16/2008 9:55:00 PM In regards to the person that just don't understand: What about the guy who has worked 15 yrs at the same job and because of the economy he loses his job and has to rely on unemployment untill it ran out and then rely's on assistance from the state because he has 5 children still at home and if he takes a job that pays quite abit less than he was making and makes alot of changes like getting rid of the second car and any other expenses he still loses aid and will probably lose his house as well. It kind of sounds like your one of these people that sit on their butt in a state job that takes a act of God to fire you and your so out of touch with the lives of real people that you cannot really understand. And as for illegal people in the U.S.A. , they take up over 90 billion dollars a year in our tax money, wouldn't that help our economy if that did not have to be shelled out, not to mention the billions that is wired out of our country that could be spent here to boost our country's financial state. It just dosen't seem like you understand because you haven't been in the position and just want to be an armchair quarterback !!!
Unemployed for Life 5/17/2008 10:38:00 PM Are u outta yer cotton pickin minds? Allowing 30 MILLION ILLEGALS to INVADE our country is WHY many people are outta work,that and the greedy subprime bankers that completely screwed the housing market up. The heartlessness of this nation increases daily. It is really sick to behold.
unemployed in Ga 5/18/2008 7:17:00 PM How and why would the president veto the extension of unemployment. There are so many people and families including myself who has had their benefits run out. I look for work everyday and I have a child, so now no income, so now what?? BUT WE ARE AT WAR????? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE???
Unemployment Need a Trade 5/19/2008 11:58:00 AM My benefits ran out in April....Looking for work daily and no response. I am a business professional. I have even applied at the Gas Station,any thing to provide for my 3 children...WE NEED CONTUNIED EDUCATION (TRADE SCHOOL)SO That more American can get back to work;MORE QUICKLY...WITH A TRADE YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND WORK.
Unemploment 5/19/2008 2:26:00 PM Why extend unemployment? Because regardless of how hard you work, or what training you take, right now it is near impossible to get a job!!!!!@ I finished my Bachelor's Degree in 4/2006 (Dean's list three times and graduation with honors). (It took four nights a week after working full-time to complete.) One month before I graduated in 3/2006, I was laid off with hundreds of other employees even though I had senority and outstanding performance reviews in the company. I continued looking for work and returned to college part-time in the fall to work on my Master's degree to increase my marketability. I applied for every job that I had any chance of qualification. I finally gained a part-time temporary job in 10/2006. I was laid from that in 5/2007. One month I only received 8 hours of work from the part-time job. I had continued sending out thousands of resumes/vitaes, and have yet to receive a full-time offer. I applied for everything in my field and beyond (including sales jobs at Kohls, secretarial, etc.) It seems that the lower jobs say I would be bored, and would not be a good fit even though I needed the job because I was not working. I finished my Master's degree in 6/2007 with a gpa of 3.89 (tied for top of my class). I earned a scholarship for academic excellence ($10,0000)that I could not get because my credit was so messed up from being unemployed. So now I have to pay for the tuition in addition to the bills I have accumulated because of lack of work. In 9/2007, I took an adjunct job teaching 2 classes at a major university for a full semester salary of $5,100 (for sixteen weeks). The salary did not even cover my gas costs because I had to drive 139 miles one way (2-1/2 hours one way from my home in good weather.) The classes started at 8:00 a.m., so I had to get up at 3:30 a.m. to get ready and make the commute. I could not qualify for an apartment with the low wages I was paid. I took the job for the experience and the hope that I could work into a full-time teaching position. I was just thankful to be working and for the experience. Yet, after one semester, because of a drop in enrollment for the class I taught, I was again laid off. Further, my husband had worked for 29 years for an automotive company. In 2007, he had to take a buyout to protect his retirement benefits. He is now working under a temporary contract which we do not know will last. SO I GUESS I CAN GET A LITTLE UPSET WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO CLUE WHAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW! I HAVE DONE MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE TO GET A JOB, AND CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP TO DATE.
Unemployed Michigan 5/19/2008 3:03:00 PM My benefits are going to be running out soon. Pleaseeeeee EXTEND THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS!!!! It's our money anyway we worked and paid for these benefits!!!! EXTEND THE BENEFITSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
unemployment 5/23/2008 11:00:00 AM Please extend the benefits. If you have a job your the lucky one and have no idea how hard it is to find a job in Michigan
America Needs Bastile Day 5/24/2008 10:32:00 PM America Needs Bastile Day
Unemployment extension 5/27/2008 11:29:00 PM I worked for a Title Agency that is from Maryland. They closed down all MI operations last July but kept me on until August 21st, the day of my son’s birthday and my nephew’s birth, my last day of employment. I have years of experience in several fields and every time I have lost a job I am considered over qualified, and skilled but I don’t hold a degree. Now you have thousands of Electrolux employees just received their degrees in the last couple of weeks, guess what, degrees, no jobs!!!! NO MONEY, the money they were getting while going to school is gone. I was able to make my unemployment last until May 10th, how? By taking part time positions when I could filling in for sick leaves, I can not rely on that............I got married on May 10th, my unemployment ended on May 10th, but my husband can not support us on his check alone. WE have his bills and mine, I have nothing coming in. I took a huge cut just in the amount I received in unemployment versus what I was getting paid in my profession, my profession is not going to pick up I was a mortgage closer for a title company. Besides all of my other experiences and skills I can not find work unless I commute 50 plus miles, at $4 per gallon. I tried that, that did not work at all but I did it, that is how I prolonged my 26 weeks, I need this 13 additional weeks to keep searching sending out my resume to hundreds of employers that can be very choosy because of the vas amount of people out of work, I can not even get an interview. I don't want to end up in the next foreclosure posting in the paper, my utilities, propane tank will be picked up on the 30th and I expect a shut off notice from Consumers any day and phone shut off soon as well. Needless to say we have kids to feed. I would be working if some one would hire me.
When Does Bush Have To Decide Michigans Unemp Extension? 5/28/2008 1:18:00 PM Fingers crossed.
Bush needs to leave office now! 5/30/2008 11:20:00 AM Unbelievable, I've worked all my life, and I've worked hard. I've paid taxes and my dues for over 40 years. My unemployment ran out a couple of weeks ago. I need this extention NOW! I wake up with a knot in my stomach everyday at not just my predicament but how badly this country is run and how such a naive public elected the worst leader in the history of this country. Bush will go down in history as one of the most destructive leader to our country and to the world. The most honorable thing he could do would be to leave office now!!!! But no he will continue to rape this country and the world for his special interest of the 1% rich. Wake up America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is just no need for the state of our country. With are rich resources and hard/smart working people, there is just no reason for our state of affair, other than the thieves in office that have been elected by a gullible public.
Bush 6/1/2008 11:34:00 AM What does OIL/RICH Bush care of us little people? He doesn't. He doesn have to worry, his pockets are lined w/ OUR oil refinery money. Get his butt out of there-yes. BUT, people are NOT listening to the facts about certain people running this time either & out to destroy our Country.....if the wrong person is put in office again, this Country is in deep doo doo.....probably be a third world country...
Unempolyed Michigan 6/6/2008 2:27:00 PM If I had the extension I could go back to school through the NWLB program. But my benefits ran out before I could find a job and I had to seek assist that I don't want but the job market is slow in Michigan and I need money to take care of my household. I need the extension to better my self and change careers can't go to school if I'm getting help for the State. I need a job that can provide for me and my family. I take nothing but it's nothing out there in Michigan. GIVE US THE BENEFITS SOON.
Extended Unemployment 6/12/2008 11:53:00 AM I'm a Michigan resident, and have read the comments. I'm very disturbed by the fact some people don't think the benefits should be extended. I have 4 degrees and I'm a Computer Engineer and have been for 20 years. My job was ended at Dow Chemical because it was cheaper to hire people in India than to maintain our employment. I have been unable to find work since the layoff. I spend my days on my laptop searching every site I can find and applying for all jobs. I hate when individuals make comments about situations they don't understand. I have a Bachelors and I'm a Certified Project Manager, if it's hard for me to find a job, how hard is it for all others?
Extended Unemployment 6/30/2008 5:25:00 PM I am not a person that sits on my rear. But what do you do when no one wants to hire you? Not because you are not able to do the job, but when you have 100 people applying for the same job what do you panhandle? Tell you what, if that’s what it takes to provide for my family that’s what I’ll do.
Extended unemployment 7/7/2008 11:13:00 PM How dare the person say our state does not need get an extension for unemployed workers!!My husband has been lay-ed -off since Feb.2007,and guess what?,he has put out ( and I am not exaggerating)100~s or resumes,and he gets up and puts them out ,and knocks on door after door,and he has been a Supervisor most of his working life!!We have lost EVERYTHING!!!!I bet you do not know what it feels like to first loose your boat,then your second car,then LOOSE YOUR HOME!!!In Michigan ,it is an employers world!!There are so many people applying for the same position,that they can sit back and pick the EXACT employee!!!Something has not to give,but with people out there like you ,who has a job BE GRATEFUL and feel sorry for the rest of the working world who wants to work,and can`t get a job to support their families do not need people like you to make the "breadwinners" feel any worse than they already do!!

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