Jobless Benefits Extended - But Look What Else the Senate Did Same Day

by: DocJess

Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 06:41:03 AM EST

Late yesterday, after weeks of IIE dithering, the Senate approved the extension to unemployment benefits, 98-0. Claire McCaskill and Robert Byrd abstained. I'm not sure what the McCaskill deal was, but it's my understanding that Byrd was out sick. Earlier, the vote to end the filibuster passed 97-1. Jim DeMint, in case you were wondering, was the sole hold out.

In the month that the IIE messed around trying to get an ACORN amendment and other nonsense, 600,000 unemployed people's unemployment benefits ran out. If you put all those people in one place, they would comprise the 24^th largest city in America, just below Milwaukee, and bumping Denver to 25^th. This is the first time since records have been kept (1948) that the percentage of people unemployed more than 26 weeks tops more than a third of the total unemployed. That '26 weeks' number matters because that is the standard amount of time for which unemployed people collect benefits. One of the reasons that the bill was finally allowed to pass is the high probability that with Friday's numbers, U3 unemployment will surpass 10%. This bill extends to 99 weeks, in the most hard hit states, the amount of time for which unemployment benefits can be collected. 

The Senate version is expected to be passed by the House today. It's a little different: they extend benefits in the Senate bill to more states than the House bill, and the Senate version includes an extension of the $8,000 first time home buyers credit, and adds a $6,500 tax credit for people who own houses, buying a new one.

The bill did not include an extension of the COBRA underwrite, so while more people will be able to pay their rent longer, the number of uninsured will begin to rise in January, directly attributable to people unable to pay full boat for COBRA.  

In case you're wondering what else the Senate did yesterday, I've posted the list, courtesy of Thomas, after the jump. It starts at #61 NOT because I wanted to play up a list beginning with the resolutions honouring Minute Man National Park, National Wounded Warrior Day, Feed America Day, and Drive Safer Sunday but because numbers 1 through 60 were House actions.

61. S.RES.275 : A resolution honoring the Minute Man National Historical Park on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 9/21/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

62. S.RES.333 : A resolution designating each of Saturday, November 7, 2009, and Saturday, November 6, 2010, as "National Wounded Warrior Day".
Sponsor: Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

63. S.RES.334 : A resolution designating Thursday, November 19, 2009, as "Feed America Day".
Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

64. S.RES.335 : A resolution designating November 29, 2009, as "Drive Safer Sunday".
Sponsor: Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

65. S.RES.336 : A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding designation of the month of November 2009 as "National Military Family Month".
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

66. S.RES.337 : A resolution designating December 6, 2009, as "National Miners Day".
Sponsor: Sen Byrd, Robert C. [WV] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

67. S.139 : A bill to require Federal agencies, and persons engaged in interstate commerce, in possession of data containing sensitive personally identifiable information, to disclose any breach of such information.
Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 1/6/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.

68. S.448 : A bill to maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media.
Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 2/13/2009)      Cosponsors (8)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.

69. S.714 : A bill to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 3/26/2009)      Cosponsors (35)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.

70. S.1147 : A bill to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kohl, Herb [WI] (introduced 5/21/2009)      Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.

71. S.1369 : A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Molalla River in the State of Oregon, as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] (introduced 6/25/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

72. S.1405 : A bill to redesignate the Longfellow National Historic Site, Massachusetts, as the "Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site".
Sponsor: Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] (introduced 7/7/2009)      Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

73. S.1413 : A bill to amend the Adams National Historical Park Act of 1998 to include the Quincy Homestead within the boundary of the Adams National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 7/8/2009)      Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

74. S.1472 : A bill to establish a section within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice to enforce human rights laws, to make technical and conforming amendments to criminal and immigration laws pertaining to human rights violations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 7/20/2009)      Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.

75. S.1490 : A bill to prevent and mitigate identity theft, to ensure privacy, to provide notice of security breaches, and to enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information.
Sponsor: Sen Leahy, Patrick J. [VT] (introduced 7/22/2009)      Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.

76. S.1506 : A bill to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to establish national safety standards for transit agencies operating heavy rail on fixed guideway.
Sponsor: Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] (introduced 7/23/2009)      Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

77. S.1624 : A bill to amend title 11 of the United States Code, to provide protection for medical debt homeowners, to restore bankruptcy protections for individuals experiencing economic distress as caregivers to ill, injured, or disabled family members, and to exempt from means testing debtors whose financial problems were caused by serious medical problems, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] (introduced 8/6/2009)      Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.

78. S.1649 : A bill to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to prepare for attacks using weapons of mass destruction, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced 9/8/2009)      Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

79. S.1733 : A bill to create clean energy jobs, promote energy independence, reduce global warming pollution, and transition to a clean energy economy.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 9/30/2009)      Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-406. 9:00 a.m.

80. S.1755 : A bill to direct the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study on emergency communications.
Sponsor: Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced 10/6/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

81. S.1757 : A bill to provide for the prepayment of a repayment contract between the United States and the Uintah Water Conservancy District, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 10/6/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee on Water and Power. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 2:30 p.m.

82. S.1758 : A bill to provide for the allocation of costs to project power with respect to power development within the Diamond Fork System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bennett, Robert F. [UT] (introduced 10/6/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee on Water and Power. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 2:30 p.m.

83. S.1759 : A bill to authorize certain transfers of water in the Central Valley Project, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 10/7/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee on Water and Power. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 2:30 p.m.

84. S.1767 : A bill to authorize a land exchange to acquire land for the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 10/8/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

85. S.1825 : A bill to extend the authority for relocation expenses test programs for Federal employees, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced 10/21/2009)      Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 196.

86. S.1860 : A bill to permit each current member of the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to serve for 3 terms.
Sponsor: Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced 10/22/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 197.

87. S.1862 : A bill to provide that certain Secret Service employees may elect to transition to coverage under the District of Columbia Police and Fire Fighter Retirement and Disability System.
Sponsor: Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced 10/22/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

88. S.2726 : A bill to modify the boundary of the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in the State of South Dakota, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

89. S.2727 : A bill to provide for continued application of arrangements under the Protocol on Inspections and Continuous Monitoring Activities Relating to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in the period following the Protocol's termination on December 5, 2009.
Sponsor: Sen Lugar, Richard G. [IN] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

90. S.2728 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that the value of certain historic property shall be determined using an income approach in determining the taxable estate of a decedent.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

91. S.2729 : A bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from uncapped domestic sources, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

92. S.2730 : A bill to extend and enhance the COBRA subsidy program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Sponsor: Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

93. S.AMDT.2712 to H.R.3548 In the nature of a substitute.
Sponsor: Sen Baucus, Max [MT] (introduced 10/29/2009)      Cosponsors (32)
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2712 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

94. S.AMDT.2713 to H.R.3548 To change the enactment date.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 10/29/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Proposed amendment SA 2713 withdrawn in Senate.

95. S.AMDT.2714 to H.R.3548 Of a perfecting nature.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 10/29/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Proposed amendment SA 2714 withdrawn in Senate.

96. S.AMDT.2715 to H.R.3548 To change the enactment date.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 10/29/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Proposed amendment SA 2715 withdrawn in Senate.

97. S.AMDT.2716 to H.R.3548 Of a perfecting nature.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 10/29/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Proposed amendment SA 2716 withdrawn in Senate.

98. S.AMDT.2725 to H.R.2847 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 11/4/2009)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/4/2009 Senate amendment submitted