On the recordMarch 17, 2010
Drip, drip, drip. Here we are for yet another extension of unemployment benefits and various related programs. These programs have been repeatedly extended, even as Democrats claim their economic stimulus plan has worked and is creating jobs. Well, it's not, and our presence on this floor today is yet another affirmation of that obvious fact. If stimulus was working, more people would have paychecks. But it's not, so we are here to hand out more unemployment checks instead. Let's review the history of just the unemployment benefit extensions we are continuing today. In June 2008, Congress created a new Federal "temporary" unemployment benefit program paying 13 weeks of unemployment benefits, on top of 26 weeks of State benefits. CBO said the UI portion of that bill would cost $14 billion. Unemployment was 5.5 percent. In November 2008, that temporary program was expanded by 20 weeks of benefits--for a new total of 59 weeks of UI per person. CBO said that would cost just under $6 billion. Unemployment was 6.9 percent. In February 2009, Democrats' stimulus plan extended the temporary program through 2009 and nationalized the Federal/State extended benefits program, among other changes. That added another 20 weeks of Federal benefits, for a total of up to 79 weeks per person. CBO said that would cost $40 billion. Unemployment was 8.2 percent.
