Extending Jobless Benefits Likely Delayed Again
The headlines tell the story:
— "Hopes Dim For Long-Term Extension To Jobless Benefits." (All Things Considered)
— "Senate Blocks Jobless Aid." (Politico)
— "Extending unemployment benefits stumbles in Senate." (CNN)
— "Jobless Aid Extension Stalls In Senate." (The Hill)
— "Unemployment benefits won't be extended until at least late January as Senate deadlocks." (The Washington Post)
Here's how The Associated Press explains what's happening:
"Compromise talks on a new program of long-term jobless benefits ran aground in the Senate on Tuesday, leaving the fate of the measure in extreme doubt while Republicans and Democrats vied for political advantage in the wreckage. ... At issue was a struggle over the possible resurrection of a program that expired on Dec. 28, immediately cutting off support for more than 1.3 million unemployed workers who have exhausted state-paid benefits that generally run for 26 weeks."