Labor

Legislation includes homebuyer tax credit extension, help for struggling American businesses

November 4, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a leader in the fight to extend unemployment benefits to jobless workers in all 50 states and co-author of the Senate compromise amendment, today applauded Senate passage of a fair extension of unemployment insurance to jobless workers in New Hampshire and across the country.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, November 4 – The Senate voted late this afternoon for a 14-week extension of unemployment insurance benefits. The extension would help about 1,800 Vermonters whose benefits were to have run out by the end of this year.

“Winter is coming and in Vermont and around the country we simply cannot leave families in the lurch without any source of income,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Sanders said workers who have lost their jobs during the worst recession since the 1930s have remained unemployed an average of 27 weeks – longer than at any time since the end of World War II.

The House later this week is expected to finish action on the bill and send it to President Obama. The measure also would expand an $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – In a positive step for Rhode Island's economy, the U.S. Senate today approved legislation championed by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) to immediately extend unemployment benefits for up to 20 weeks for more than 4,000 Rhode Island job seekers who exhausted their current benefits. The Reid-Baucus-Reed-Shaheen legislation extends unemployment insurance benefits to jobless Americans in every state by up to 14 weeks, with an additional 6 weeks possible in high unemployment states like Rhode Island with rates at or above 8.5%.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson today voted to provide additional benefits to thousands of unemployed Nebraskans, and to extend the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit that already has helped more than 10,000 Nebraskans buy homes and created hundreds of jobs in new home construction in Nebraska.

“Although Nebraska’s unemployment rate is lower than many states, more than 13,000 Nebraskans are receiving emergency unemployment benefits now, and many could be helped by the temporary extension we approved today,” said Nelson. “These benefits are a critical lifeline for those pushed out of work by the recession.    » read more »

Legislation provides additional 20 weeks of benefits for laid off New Jersey workers, while aiming to spur home sales and supporting businesses

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – This evening, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to extend unemployment insurance for laid off workers. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was a co-sponsor of the legislation and voted in favor of its passage. The bill extends benefits by 14 weeks in all states and by 20 weeks in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher, which includes New Jersey, and is expected to assist tens of thousands of New Jerseyans whose benefits have expired. The    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) praised the Senate's passage of legislation to extend unemployment benefits to Connecticut workers for an additional 14 weeks. The bill, cosponsored by Senator Lieberman, also extends the homebuyer tax credit through April 30, 2010 and expands its availability to move-up homebuyers.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., filed the following floor statement today regarding the Senate’s consideration of a bill that will extend unemployment benefits.

Mr. President, the measure we have before us is vital to the three-quarters of a million people in Michigan who are unemployed. It is vital to the 15.1 million Americans who are unemployed. It will keep them in their homes. It will keep their children fed and clothed.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- [After ending a Republican filibuster on the bill earlier in the day, in a vote of 98 to 0, the U.S. Senate Wednesday night approved legislation to: 1) extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers across the nation; 2) continue the $8,000 first-time homebuyer credit through April 30, 2010, but with 60 days to close after that date; 3) provide a $6,500 credit to new purchasers who have lived in their current residences for five or more years; and 4) extend and expand the carry back provision to allow all businesses to carry back losses incurred in 2008 or 2009 for five years.    » read more »

Measure Would Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit Through June

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - Following weeks of Republican obstruction, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today voted to approve legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for an additional 14 weeks in every state and an additional 20 weeks in New Jersey and other states where unemployment exceeds 8.5 percent. The legislation will also extend and expand the first-time homebuyers tax credit.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman (both D-Del.) today voted to extend federal unemployment insurance for up to 14 additional weeks for the state’s jobless, noting additional benefits are needed in Delaware where unemployment stands at more than eight percent. Late today, the Senate passed the Workers, Home Owners, Business Assistance Act (H.R. 3548) by a vote of 98 to 0.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced his support of the unemployment insurance extension, recognizing the challenging economic climate and the increased difficulty hardworking people are facing when trying to find another job. The bill passed this evening. Johnson released the following statement:    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. The bill, which passed the Senate by a 98-0 vote, extends unemployment insurance benefits for up to 20 weeks for states like North Carolina that have been hit the hardest by the economic downturn.    » read more »

Proposal Will Keep More Unemployed Minnesotans Insuread

Washington, D.C. [Nov 5, 2009] – Today, U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) joined his colleagues Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) to support the COBRA Subsidy Extension and Enhancement Act (S.2730).

COBRA allows jobless workers to keep their health care as they look for new employment. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that seven million workers and their dependents will use the COBRA subsidies in 2009. Tens of thousands of Minnesota families won’t be able to stay insured without this extension. This act addresses the short-term crisis facing so many families by extending the COBRA subsidy another six months through June 30, 2010.    » read more »

Casey’s homebuyer tax credit fraud prevention provisions included

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today applauded Senate passage of legislation to extend unemployment insurance for laid-off workers who have exhausted their benefits, to expand and extend the homebuyer tax credit and provide relief to businesses with operating losses. The legislation must now be reconciled with the House before being sent to the president.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman (both D-Del.) today voted to extend federal unemployment insurance for up to 14 additional weeks for the state’s jobless, noting additional benefits are needed in Delaware where unemployment stands at more than eight percent.

Late today, the Senate passed the Workers, Home Owners, Business Assistance Act (H.R. 3548) by a vote of 98 to 0.    » read more »