Failure of Extension of Unemployment Benefits Hits Hard
Posting Date: Feb 28 2010
By Marirose Metzke
Some local residents affected by the failure of unemployment benefits extension discuss the issue with Congressman Gary Peters
The Extended Benefits program, available to workers experiencing long periods of unemployment, expired on Sunday, kicking 1.2 million Americans off unemployment rolls nationally and an estimated 100,000 Michigan residents.
Congressman Gary Peters organized a small press conference one day after the Senate’s failure to extend unemployment benefits. Congressman Peters urges residents to call Senator Jim Bunning, the only one of 100 senators to block a 30-day extension. Peters told the attendees at the meeting that it could be as early as Tuesday or as late as Friday, before the full Senate takes up the unemployment benefits extension, which could cause a disruption in checks being sent to people expecting to receive benefits.
Local residents gathered to ask questions and discuss personal stories with the Congressman. While waiting for the conference to begin attendees depressingly chatted about their college degrees and the night jobs turning them away, places like McDonalds, Starbucks and Wal-Mart; they also spoke of Bridge Cards and the $16 monthly allotted amount.
Congressman Gary Peters opened the discussion with an explanation of the situation and comments from a Congressional standpoint. He said, “This is a critical time; people are in need of help.” He continued, “The benefits package needs to be extended not only to help unemployed individuals but also to help stimulate the economy.” Peters also pointed out that unemployment benefits are an effective economic stimulus, since all the money is spent immediately and put into the economy.
Attendee Lois Clark, Lake Orion, questioned how one Senator’s refusal to lift his objection can hold up the benefits extension bill. Congressman Peters addressed the question by explaining the Senate’s choice to put the issue on the unanimous consent agenda, which requires every Senator to consent and Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky unexpectedly objected to the measure.
Mr. Bunning is receiving backlash from citizens here in Michigan, people in Kentucky and colleagues in Congress. It was reported that two of Bunning’s offices had received bomb threats, however, no bombs were found in either case. The New York Times quotes Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, taking a shot at Bunning’s current decisions and past baseball career, “I just don’t think one senator ought to be able to heap this kind of suffering and misfortune on people who are already struggling in this economy.” He continued, “This is a wild pitch you are throwing tonight because it is a pitch that is hitting someone in the stands.”
Rochester Hills resident, Pat Narrin, spoke of personal misfortune and where the cuts of unemployment benefits will leave her and her family. Ms. Narrin was laid off from GM a year and a half ago, her daughter is currently underemployed, her brother is a recently laid off pharmacist and a friend of the family has recently taken his own life as a result of this economic crisis. She said, “If the unemployment benefits are cut my daughter and I are going to lose our homes. I am using my unemployment to help her keep her house and mine. My daughter missed one mortgage payment and the bank is threatening foreclosure.” When asked what she would say to Senator Bunning given the chance, she said, “Get on the ball, you’re hurting people all over the country.”
Other local attendees included Scott Glazer, a gentleman who’s been laid off since August of last year; Christine Frantsen (Farmington Hills), a woman struggling with medical bills and Mary Selep (Troy), a resident who’s been unsuccessfully looking for work for months. These people, among others, came out Saturday morning to get the word out the only way they knew how. Various news stations conducted interviews and these people got a moment to speak.
Congressman Peters urged people to contact Senator Bunning’s office directly. He advised them to call, send emails, write – anything to start a buzz, especially if you have friends or relatives in Bunning’s home state of Kentucky. “This failure is bad for many across the country, but it’s especially hard on Michigan,” said Congressman Peters. “My office has been flooded with calls from people who badly need this extension, and I’ve called many of them back to talk with them personally. I’ve spoken with parents who are trying hard but unable to find work and are struggling to keep their heads above water, and this could be the blow that sends them over the edge. The partisanship and dysfunction that led to this failure shows that the process in the Senate is truly broken.”
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