There had been buzz all afternoon that some Senate Republicans were on the verge of agreeing on an unemployment extension. Now, a deal has reportedly been reached which would provide Harry Reid a filibuster-proof compromise thanks to help from five Republicans:
BREAKING: Senators agree on compromise to restore benefits for long-term unemployed.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 13, 2014
Sens. Jack Reed, D-RI, and Dean Heller, R-Nevada, announce filibuster-proof deal to extend emergency UI benefits for five months.
— Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) March 13, 2014
Agreement would extend unemployment insurance benefits to 2 million jobless Americans http://t.co/szokCnZUX9
— National Journal (@nationaljournal) March 13, 2014
More details from National Journal:
The bill is paid for by extending customs user fees through 2024 and a process called “pension smoothing” that allows employers to reduce their payments to employees’ pensions. The final agreement would not prevent individuals from collecting both unemployment and disability benefits simultaneously, as previously proposed by Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.
The bill also reforms the overall program asking state and federal agencies involved to determine why an individual remains unemployed and offer potential ways that the person can improve their prospects for finding work. It would also prevent millionaires and billionaires from receiving the benefits.
Five GOPers are reported to be on board the “compromise”:
5 GOP Senators on board with jobless benefits deal: Heller NV, Portman OH, Murkowski AK, Kirk IL & Collins ME
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) March 13, 2014
Some of the momentum from the David Jolly win in Florida might have lost a little steam already:
https://twitter.com/AmyOtto8/status/444194025021534208
Oh Senate Republicans…you had ONE job RT @AP: BREAKING: Senators agree on compromise to restore benefits for long-term unemployed.
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) March 13, 2014
Prediction….if the GOP wins the Senate, it will be harder for them to find Democrat sellouts than it is for Reid to find Republican ones.
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) March 13, 2014
Republicans are forging a path towards a new permanent entitlement of unemployment benefits
— Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) March 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/444198702497136641
The timing could play out just right for the Dems as far as serving as a demagoguing opportunity heading into the home stretch for the November elections:
https://twitter.com/NorthDallas30/status/444210977613963264
That is, if the full Senate does indeed pass the compromise and then it passes the House, which remains to be seen.
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