Claire McCaskill opposes a further extension of unemployment benefits

[marmar]

from HuffPost:




During a Tuesday visit to a factory in St. Charles, Mo., Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill said she opposed extending federal unemployment benefits.

"I'm not for extending the unemployment benefits any further," McCaskill said in response to a question from local TV station KMOV before saying she would support a continued payroll tax cut.

It's not clear from McCaskill's statement whether she is opposed to giving the unemployed additional weeks of benefits or if she opposes renewing the existing extra weeks of aid. Members of Congress have frequently been confused on unemployment legislation. McCaskill's office did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.

UPDATE: McCaskill's office says additional context omitted from KMOV's report would show that she was responding to a question about giving the unemployed extra weeks of benefits. Her office said she supports preserving the existing extended benefits.

"Claire continues to fully support unemployment benefits for people who have lost their jobs by no fault of their own as a result of the struggling economy. This includes up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, expanding benefits beyond 99 weeks -- as some suggest -- is unaffordable and unrealistic because of staunch opposition in the House."

Further extensions of unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless will need all the congressional support they can get. The federal benefits, which can last up to 73 weeks for workers who exhaust the standard 26 weeks of state benefits, are scheduled to expire at the beginning of 2012. Republicans oppose keeping the benefits because of their significant cost to the government -- as much as $60 billion a year. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/10/claire-mccaskill-unemployment-benefits_n_923270.html?ir=Business

[haikugal]

1. If they cut food stamps, help with energy costs etc...

those who are still unemployed and don't have benefits will be scrambling to find somewhere to live. I know people that have been homeless and living in a tent due to no fault of their own. Will there be any policy for these people? I don't know how people can keep a roof over themselves etc. working for $10 or less per hour.

[TheDebbieDee]

2. I just NEVER know what side of the fence Claire will land in

many issues. She's not much of a Dem - sometimes I think she uses a magic 8-ball to make her dim-witted decisions.