ARCHIVES
Once Again, Senate Republicans Block Jobs Program
September 29, 2010 11:27 AM
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Income Security and Family Support, Jobs
Once Again, Senate Republicans Block Jobs Program
Last night, Senate Republicans again decided to put politics ahead of job-creation by blocking an extension of the TANF Emergency Fund, a program that has proven successful in creating nearly 250,000 jobs around the country.
Following the latest GOP action, Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA) pointed out:
“Congressional Republicans are so desperate to stop an economic recovery that they are blocking a jobs program that even Haley Barbour thinks is a good thing. Without an extension, States are going to be forced to start cutting a program within days that has created hundreds of thousands of jobs. It doesn’t matter that Republican Governors want the program extended, Republicans in Congress would rather score political points than support anything that might help the economy.”
Twice this year the House of Representatives voted to extend this fund, which has helped States provide assistance to low-income families and create jobs programs. The TANF Emergency Fund was created as part of the Recovery Act and has encouraged 37 States to establish or expand programs that help people find employment by temporarily subsidizing their wages.
The TANF Emergency Fund has the strong support of several Republican leaders outside of DC. Haley Barbour, the Republican Governor of Mississippi and former chair of the Republican National Committee, called it a welfare to work program. His support was featured in a recent PBS: Need to Know segment, “One step forward: A jobs program provides hope for the unemployed,” devoted to the program’s success in Mississippi.
As we know, this isn’t the first time the GOP has assailed the program. Congressional Republicans have consistently voted against extending it while spreading deceptive claims that undermine the program’s proven success.
-by Lauren Bloomberg
New Jobs Report Shows 7th Consecutive Month of Private Sector Employment Growth
August 6, 2010 3:45 PM
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Income Security and Family Support, Jobs, Unemployment
According to the employment report released today from the Department of Labor, results for July represent the seventh consecutive month of private sector job growth. The report shows an overall increase of 71,000 private sector jobs. Early last year, the economy lost an average of 750,000 jobs each month. This year the private sector has created 630,000 jobs. Click here for a chart.
While the private sector has shown modest job gains in recent months, additional action is needed. This is why the House is returning to session next week to pass legislation that will save and create 290,000 American jobs (140,000 teacher jobs saved and 150,000 jobs created or saved, including police officers, firefighters and nurses).
-by Lauren Bloomberg
Standing Up for the Unemployed
July 1, 2010 4:43 PM
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Income Security and Family Support, Levin, Unemployment
Despite objections from House Republicans, the House today passed H.R. 5618, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act, critical legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits to millions of American workers through the end of November 2010.
Video from the bill’s sponsors on the House Floor today:
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI):
Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA):
Before going out of session yesterday, the Senate failed to pass an extension of benefits. Chairman Levin noted, the only reason this extension has not passed the Senate in recent days is because there could not be found more than two Republicans to vote for this extension. Chairman Levin noted that:
“We must pass this [bill] so it is the first item of business when they return. Those who are still unemployed should not suffer due to the indifference of Republicans in Congress.”
Click here for more information on H.R. 5618.
-by Lauren Bloomberg
W&M; Members Weigh in on Republicans' Vote to Deny Unemployment Benefits to Millions of Americans
June 29, 2010 7:20 PM
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Income Security and Family Support, Unemployment
Democratic Members of the Ways and Means Committee are weighing in after Republicans voted down H.R. 5618, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act, that would have restored and continued unemployment benefits for millions of Americans:
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI): "Republicans in Congress are clearly more focused on their short-term political standing than the immediate economic security of millions of Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are unable to find work. While today’s vote is deeply disappointing, it is not altogether surprising given how Republicans have increasingly voted in lock-step against all measures to create jobs, strengthen our economic recovery and help the unemployed.
Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA): “I honestly don’t know how Republicans can go home to march in a July 4th parade next week knowing that they’ve voted to sever this lifeline for millions of families. The same Republicans that had no problem helping President Bush turn our nation’s largest budget surplus into the nation’s biggest deficit are the very ones who have now miraculously discovered fiscal responsibility. Millions of families who have lost their benefits are trying to figure out how they are going to put food on the table tonight, and they have the Republican Party to thank. While Republicans seem to think that it’s okay to tell every unemployed American that we don’t care what happens to them, I certainly do not.”
Health Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stark (D-CA): "While House Republicans vote down an extension of Unemployment Insurance, 250,000 Californians have already lost their benefits. I wish that each of the members who voted no could answer the phones in my office and tell my constituents how they will pay their mortgages or put food on their tables."
Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA): “I also find it morally reprehensible that my counterparts on the other side of the aisle are not fiscally conservative when it comes to tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 to 2 percent of Americans. It was a Republican Administration that took us from a major surplus to an unprecedented massive deficit. At that time we heard no calls for fiscal responsibility.”
Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA): “Because of Republican intransigence and indifference, millions of Americans families are being denied emergency unemployment compensation. In my home state of Massachusetts, more than 24,000 people are struggling to make ends meet without these crucial benefits. Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans would rather play politics than help families who are hurting through no fault of their own. The time for partisanship is over. I urge my Republican colleagues to stand up for the American family, reject the special interests, and pass this important bill.”
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ): “Now is not the time for members of Congress to play politics while Americans struggle through this trying economy. What the nation needs now is steady governance to provide those seeking jobs the unemployment insurance benefits the need to help see them through to their next opportunity. If we’ve learned nothing else in this Congress, it’s that partisanship only hurts the American people. It is my hope that my colleagues will see the wisdom of providing for the greater good of all Americans.”
Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV): “Nevada's unemployment rate went up last month. We are the highest in the country. Officially over 14%, probably closer to 20%, which means a fifth of the people living in the State of Nevada have no jobs. And the problem is, there are no jobs to have. When I hear people say ‘well, we shouldn’t extend unemployment benefits because people are going to get accustomed to being on unemployment.’ Not one of the people I represent that’s unemployed has come to me and told me what a picnic it is living on the brink with their unemployment benefits. You know what they are saying to me: find me a job Congresswoman, I want to work! Until this economy recovers, until people can go back to work, we have an obligation, a responsibility, to keep these families afloat.”
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): “I am disappointed that House Republicans joined Senate Republicans to block the extension of unemployment benefits to Americans who are out of work through no fault of their own. While there have been five consecutive months of job growth, much more work needs to be done to rebuild the economy and make up for the 8 million jobs lost. Extending these benefits is not only the right thing to do for these families, it will also help the economy and create jobs. If individuals are unable to buy food and pay their mortgages or rent, the economy could slide back into recession. Our economic security should not be risked for short term political gain.”
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA): “Just as America heads into economic recovery, Republicans continue to stand in the way of middle income families getting the help they need to regain their footing. This comes as no surprise as they have also voted against helping small businesses expand and hire new workers and against every proposal that Congress has considered to create jobs and grow the economy. Republicans continue to hold us back from moving our country in the right direction.”
Click here for additional information.
- by Lauren Bloomberg
Rep. Danny Davis Discusses Responsible Fatherhood Programs
June 17, 2010 12:47 PM
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Income Security and Family Support
-by Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-IL)
There is broad agreement that fathers matter in the upbringing of children. Studies show that children raised in the absence of a father are more likely to live in poverty. Children whose fathers interact with them on a regular basis in such daily activities as helping with homework, enjoying recreational opportunities and sharing meals have higher self-esteem and are better learners.
Children raised in the absence of a father are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as early sexual activity, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. Statistics demonstrate that boys raised in fatherless homes are more likely to become violent. Fathers' positive involvement in their children's lives and men's positive involvement in their communities are irreplaceable contributions to the strength of our nation.
No one argues that there is any one model of family structure but the elimination of government barriers to healthy relationships and healthy marriages, the promotion of cooperative parenting skills and the fostering of economic stability and the provision of incentives to non-custodial parents to fulfill financial and emotional support responsibilities are clearly in the interests of millions of children.
Put differently, optimal policy builds and reinforces fathers' work attachment, family attachment and the knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors necessary for these to be attained and sustained.
Intervention is imperative for the well-being of our children, as well as America's global competitiveness. The gradual but persistent scaling back of federal support for families living below the poverty line will not yield the results we need. The lives of poor, low-income Americans, of whom Black families constitute a disproportionate share, hang in the balance. If their lives hang in the balance, our nation's future does as well. The return on the public investment in struggling families is nothing short of a stronger nation - for generations to come.
House Committee on Ways & MeansCommittee on Ways & Means 1102 Longworth House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3625 | Fax : (202) 225-2610
