3/15/11 **Update on HR 589** 75 Co-Sponsors!!!

First topic message reminder :

House Dems Open To Compromise On 99ers Bill
We request a meeting with you as soon as possible to discuss alternative ways to address the costs associated with H.R. 589, The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. We hope that you share our urgent desire to move forward on passing this legislation.
Huffingtonpost.com - March 09, 2011

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http://www.lee.house.gov

http://lee.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=57&sectiontree=35,57&itemid=2307

tiffg2011 wrote:ok ty for the clarification

We don't need more Democrats, we need Republicans signing on to the bill ...

Once again....I don't think it matters a darn bit of good if we have 1,000 democrat co-sponsors. There are NO rebublicans signed on...and even if there were a few of them signed on too....Boehner doesn't seem to care.

I'm happy for the updates..but I just don't think that Boehner even cares. It also appuals me that our President cannot even come out give a nod to this bill. I don't think he really wants it either.

If we ever do get back on our feet, it's not going to be from the hard work of the Government...It will be because of US, and our determination to get something done with our backs up against the wall.

@supersteves...The White House is now working with Rep Lee to try and find a way to pay for this bill. I know Obama has not stated that he supports it, but the just fact that the White House is working with them says a lot. I too would like to hear him speak about it directly though. It is however a step in the right direction.

Sick & Tired, unless the President signs on to the bill and signals that he supports it, then nobody else's opinion matters. Also, we could have every Democrat signed on to co-sponsor but until Republicans start signing on to the bill, then it simply will not go anywhere.

Sick & Tired wrote:@supersteves...The White House is now working with Rep Lee to try and find a way to pay for this bill. I know Obama has not stated that he supports it, but the just fact that the White House is working with them says a lot. I too would like to hear him speak about it directly though. It is however a step in the right direction.

I agree sick & tire, a step in the right direction. But I also feel like that is all the info. that has been said. Working with The White House? With who? and what are they working on with them? Surely the president would know about this if they were and would lend his voice of support. Who at the white house can we call to lend our support in return? Also I don't think it matters if they are working with the white house because the people with the power right now Boehner....Hates the white house. I just hope that there is a way if they do, that they have it paid for 100% without any loopholes or that there is a budget deal becuase if not. I think it could all be in vein.

Republicans simply do not believe in unemployment benefits. They would rather take your hard earned money for taxes and not give you anything back in return for it.

kemcha wrote:Republicans simply do not believe in unemployment benefits. They would rather take your hard earned money for taxes and not give you anything back in return for it.

They better smarten up then! If they don't stop stalling things in Congress and start working on job creation and stopping outsourcing, they are going to get fewer and fewer tax payer dollars. If you don't work, you don't pay taxes.

superstevies wrote:

Sick & Tired wrote:@supersteves...The White House is now working with Rep Lee to try and find a way to pay for this bill. I know Obama has not stated that he supports it, but the just fact that the White House is working with them says a lot. I too would like to hear him speak about it directly though. It is however a step in the right direction.

I agree sick & tire, a step in the right direction. But I also feel like that is all the info. that has been said. Working with The White House? With who? and what are they working on with them? Surely the president would know about this if they were and would lend his voice of support. Who at the white house can we call to lend our support in return? Also I don't think it matters if they are working with the white house because the people with the power right now Boehner....Hates the white house. I just hope that there is a way if they do, that they have it paid for 100% without any loopholes or that there is a budget deal becuase if not. I think it could all be in vein.

I completely understand the way you feel. Our president has really become silent on some very important issues and its very frustrating.
I really hope and pray that Boehner and some other Republicans surprise us all and allow this bill to the floor. If we could get just one Republican cosponsor, I think a few others would follow. None of them want to be the first to come out publicly if they support it.

We have to keep writing and calling. Can't lose the momentum. What any of us thinks, sadly doesn't really matter, we have to keep our voices heard, we need help, we needs jobs and until then we need these benefits. It's a process, and don't forget how we all sweated blood and tears to get every one of the last three extensions passed. This won't happen quickly, but the Reps. who introduced the bill are working to get this done. Right now we can't question their sincerity. They are the only ones actually doing something about it right now. I would not want all their work, Gregg's work and our work to come undone because we are now going to start complaining about the length of time it takes and whether or not we consider their efforts on our behalf to be genuine.

Every day we can an additional co-sponsor, which means there are people listening. Even if we don't get a republican co-sponsor, there are deals made on the floor and behind closed doors all the time, they will eventually want something and this can be used to bargain with. If things continue to get worse instead of better, and this economy takes a hit again, their hands may be tied and they may have to bring it out for a vote. You never know. Don't lose faith, keep writing and calling. Don't give up.

I dont think Boehner is going to let this get out of committee. I think he has an agenda that doesnt include us unemployed. He has shown that he really doesnt care what we think.

Boehner is letting his newfound power go to his head. If no republicans sign on as co-sponsers then this will just be another Dem verses Rep fight that will get nowhere.

This bill has no chance of passing. Baehner will not bring this to the floor. It's horrible I am not a 99er yet but very soon. This is just unreal how we as Americans are being treated. I live in PA but a part of PA that is really bad for unemployment. We have a President who is out right scared of the Republicans. He needs to be the leader he was that got him elected.

At first I thought Boehner was just annoying. Now I am thinking he is scary. He and his buddies could really do some damage to our country. I think he feels that he can get away with anything now that he got those big tax cuts for the rich passed.

The bill has a chance as long as we all keep fighting. The Reps who are on our side specifically stated they need our help. We need to keep pushing for Republican support. More cosponsors signing the bill means the bill is still active. WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE.

Donald Trump was just on with Cavuto, he is one of the first one's that I have heard state the truth, in public, for all of the nation to hear. Unemployment is more like 21 percent. This statement should help our cause. No one else wants america to be aware of this, a) for thier own political careers and b) because they are buffoons and stupid. After listening to him, it doesnt matter if we have a dem or repub in the president's office, or in congress or in the senate we need intelligent people and they are not. He also stated that he would not have to cut social security, medicare etc to reduce the deficit...ok, for those of you who are going to tell me, anyone can say these things,,,the difference is this...a) he is intelligent and b) he doesnt say anything that he cant back up...but I think the key here is that as we all know they are buffoons in washington wall to wall, even those elected last november.

Again, my point is that finally someone had the guts to say unemployment is 21percent, someone who knows what he is talking about, not a media outlet saying it for thier own ratings...IMO, this is what our letters should state when writing about HR 589....unemployment is more like 21 percent...lets get that word out there....can the still say that 99weeks is enough with 21 percent unemployment...when we tweet, etc...add that into the tweet, lets get the public to support us, and know why we need HR 589...not because we are lazy, hobos, but because we cannot fight 21 percent unemployment...

We have to keep advocating. If it is truly important to us, then we have to fight for this. I said before, until I hear the words there will be no benefits or help for the 99ers, then I am fighting. Each day we gain additional support, that means they are working to get more support and I will keep writing to help them get it. Giving up is not an option, regardless of our opinions.

I agree with ca, brave move on Trump's part. I don't know if he would ever be considered a serious candidate because he won't play well with the Republicans and certainly not with the Tea Party, especially after CPAC, but he is very much in the public eye and if he keeps speaking the truth, maybe we gain more momentum.

Keep asking for co-sponsors. The more we get, the better our chances are. I write the Republicans every day. Speaker Boehner and Mr. Cantor every day. I won't let them forget us. They may never co-sponsor, but they are going to hear from us every day.

MaryKay,

It is my opinion, and only mine, that as long as HR589 is still taking a breath, people have some hope and the government is status quo. When and if HR589 dies, that is when you will see the masses get up and fight this governments hypocrisy. Everything is a game with them, let everybody nibble on HR589, and they keep the crowds at bay. You see that little lifeline taken away, it is gonna get real ugly, real fast. HR589 may actually be standing in the way of the real, get down and dirty, gutty people we Americans actually are. Just my opinion.

Dazed&Confused

Boehner is a liar he could care less about the American people. Boehner said he is worried about jobs and has done nothing. If he was so worried he would bring this bill to the floor. I mean Repubs look at the damn situation as a hole. I support Donald Trump big time. He is a realist and very smart. He is the man we need to run this country.

Once and If this Bill is fully covered by offsets, and It WILL BE. If the GOP votes it down, and any republican members here still feel strongly about their party, then I dont know what to say to them at that point.

As you check the Box for R in the ballot box next time remember this.

I am not a life long democrat by any means. I voted republican mostly till the last presidential election.
Now Im not saying Im not disappointed with the Dems on some things, BUT, its become obvious to me where the parties draw their lines and what the priorities are.

We are not a priority to one party.
Draw your own conclusions on this one.

I think Donald Trump could be a candidate for President. All he has to have is the people supporting him. Look at Obama, he got Americans behind him and got elected.

I just want a President who will be totally straight with us and tell the truth. Honesty is something we need right now. I am tired of the career politicians that are only interested in campaigning for their next election and never do what they said they would once elected.

I'm starting to get depressed. It just seems that no matter how hard we press for our congressmen to sign on to the bill that all Republicans seem to have developed a numbness and won't consider anything related to unemployment.

It was Rep. Eric Cantor who said that Congress should be getting out of the business of providing unemployment benefits and that should be left up to the state.

kemcha wrote:I'm starting to get depressed. It just seems that no matter how hard we press for our congressmen to sign on to the bill that all Republicans seem to have developed a numbness and won't consider anything related to unemployment.

It was Rep. Eric Cantor who said that Congress should be getting out of the business of providing unemployment benefits and that should be left up to the state.

I was looking at ALEC's web site. They create a lot of the "model legislation" that has been introduced and passed in many of the states. Their idea of unemployment would be to make it like a health savings account.

1000 co sponsors. OOOOK! now what! I guess a couple hundred co sponsors is enough to keep us excited. Must be, because thats all we're getting... BTW! Break weeks after this week???


Things getting better!!! Hum!! Ky unemployment rate is now from 10.3% up to 10.4%... Are we getting the truth!!! New jobless claims up 29,000 from last thurs.. Thats right things are getting so much better.. So much even though Libya is going on and also now a Hugh crisis and great loss of life in Japan. But our Pres. jokes about it and also is playing golf this week and also filling out brackets. But I guess many will have a justifiable excuse for him again! He does make compelling speeches however. But does he really think he has the country lulled asleep and duped??? maybe some on here probably!

exhaustedandtired/1208 wrote:1000 co sponsors. OOOOK! now what! I guess a couple hundred co sponsors is enough to keep us excited. Must be, because thats all we're getting... BTW! Break weeks after this week???


Things getting better!!! Hum!! Ky unemployment rate is now from 10.3% up to 10.4%... Are we getting the truth!!! New jobless claims up 29,000 from last thurs.. Thats right things are getting so much better.. So much even though Libya is going on and also now a Hugh crisis and great loss of life in Japan. But our Pres. jokes about it and also is playing golf this week and also filling out brackets. But I guess many will have a justifiable excuse for him again! He does make compelling speeches however. But does he really think he has the country lulled asleep and duped??? maybe some on here probably!

1208, the don't have next week "off". Take advantage of their 'District Work Session" and make an appointment with your Representative. Call his/her office tomorrow and schedule it. That is what they are doing next week, working in their districts with their constituents. If your Rep. is too busy, one of their caseworkers will. Let them see a human face. If you don't do that, you cannot blame Lee, Obama, Boehner or anyone else but yourself.

Bring them a copy of your work search records, let them know how hard you have been trying. Bring your bills and ask what you are suppose to do. What ever it takes, do it. Nobody else can do it for you. Negativity is not going to get you anywhere. You have to be proactive and not stop.

I can understand exhausted's frustration. 75 co-sponsers sounds good but we are coming to the end of March now. Time is certainly not on our side. What is it going to take to get this bill to the floor. What if Repubs say ok and put it on the floor only to vote it down? I think I would totally lose it if that happened.