Senators push pared-down long term unemployment bill
Washington (CNN) - Two bipartisan senators on Tuesday introduced pared-down legislation to provide benefits for the long-term unemployed that they hope will be more attractive to House Republicans who have shown little interest in a previous more generous bill sponsored by the two.
Unlike their earlier legislation, which passed the Senate in April, this measure will not pay benefits retroactively to the estimated 3.1 million people whose benefits have run out since the program expired at the end of December. Instead, it will offer up to five months of benefits from the enactment date depending on how many weeks of eligibility an individual had left in the program before it lapsed.
Political battle over jobs report
Washington (CNN) - A mostly positive jobs report Friday didn't stop Republicans from criticizing the White House over the economy.
Soon after the Labor Department announced that the U.S. economy added 288,000 jobs last month (more than economists had predicted), some top Republicans went on the attack.
First lady receives plea from daughter of unemployed man
Washington (CNN) - The children of Executive Office employees crowded into the East Room of the White House on Thursday to ask first lady Michelle Obama a question as part of the White House’s annual celebration of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
While most children used their question to ask Obama about her favorite food or drink or place to travel, one young girl seated in the front row took the opportunity to try to help her unemployed father.
White House, Republicans push opposing economic agendas in weekly addresses
(CNN) - In their weekly addresses, the White House and the Republican Party described different visions for how to fix an economy that still struggles to show consistent growth.
Friday's monthly jobs report showed the economy picking up slightly after a lull over the winter, but signaled that a healthy jobs market is still years away.
President Obama, in his weekly address from the White House, pushed for job creation and training, access to education and raising the minimum wage, while Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, in the GOP's weekly address, blamed Democrats for an approach that he says throws "billions of dollars each year" at problems in the job market without making fundamental improvements.
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Senate deal would extend long-term jobless benefits
(CNN) – A group of 10 U.S. senators has reached a deal to extend federal benefits to the chronically unemployed for five months, a development one negotiator called a "bipartisan breakthrough."
Five Republicans have signed on to the $10 billion measure, effectively meaning it should clear the Democratic-led chamber. A vote is not expected until after next week's recess and prospects for passage in the House are uncertain.
Democrats try to increase pressure on unemployment benefits
Washington (CNN) – Nearly three months after extended unemployment benefits expired, Democrats tried to ratchet up pressure on the issue with dozens of lawmaker signatures and a line of Congressmen marching together into the House Chamber.
“Do the right thing, Mr. Speaker: give us a vote,” Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California told reporters Wednesday, as she and dozens of her party members prepared to file a discharge petition in the House, aimed at forcing a House vote on an unemployment insurance extension.
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Raising minimum wage would ease poverty but cost some jobs
New York (CNNMoney) - Raising the federal minimum wage would boost the incomes of most low-wage workers but result in job loss for some, according to an analysis released Tuesday.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that gradually raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would reduce total employment by about 500,000 workers, or 0.3% of the workforce.
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Republicans slam President over jobs report
Washington (CNN) – Republican leaders were quick to criticize President Barack Obama over the January jobs report.
"The American people continue to ask 'where are the jobs?' and the president clearly has no answers. Republicans do," said House Speaker John Boehner in a statement released a few minutes after the Labor Department announced the January jobs figures.
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Why do Republicans oppose unemployment benefits?
Washington (CNN) - Republicans have once again blocked an extension of benefits intended to aid the long-term unemployed.
Thursday's vote in the Senate was third time Democrats have attempted unsuccessfully to pass legislation intended to help some 1.7 million people who have had their benefits cut off since the recession-era program expired on December 28.
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Extending unemployment benefits stumbles in Senate
Updated 8:21 p.m. ET, 1/14/2014
(CNN) – Senate passage of long-term unemployment benefits appeared in doubt on Tuesday following the failure of two procedural votes, leaving the fate of emergency government assistance to more than 1 million people in limbo.
The votes come after fits and starts in negotiations involving Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and eight Republican Senators.
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