On the recordMarch 17, 2010
I rise today in support of this legislation to extend important benefits that help long-term unemployed workers, including unemployment insurance and health coverage assistance through COBRA. In addition, H.R. 4851 postpones the drastic cuts to Medicare physician payment rates, a critical factor for our health care providers, as well as a number of other important provisions that expire at the end of the month or sooner. While I support this assistance, the American people should be under no illusion that this will create jobs. It does no such thing. In spite of claims last year that the Democrats' stimulus package would keep unemployment from rising above 8 percent, it has risen from 5.5 to 9.7 percent nationwide and 10.7 percent in Kentucky. Just yesterday, senior administration officials testified they don't expect to see much improvement in the job market this year. We have already spent almost $100 billion on unemployment benefits, with another $50 billion in the pipeline through 2010. I am disappointed that the majority has again chosen to subvert their so-called PAYGO rules by not paying for this short-term extension.
