EMPLOYMENT LAW: Senate to Vote on Unemployment Stop Gap Bill on April 15

April 8, 2010

Washington – The US Senate is expected to vote on the stop gap bill on April 15 that would allow workers who recently lost their jobs to avail of the extended benefits.

This includes extended months for unemployment payments and continuation of the 65% government subsidy on COBRA health insurance payments.

The bill has been delayed by partisan arguments over the $9 billion cost of the bill.

While the Democrats want the bill funded as an emergency measure that would add to the deficit, the republicans insist that the costs be offset with budget cuts under “pay-as-you-go rules.”

The stalemate between the two parties has caused delays on the benefits of thousands of Americans including about 250,000 unemployed workers in California, Senator Jib Bunning (R-KY) said in a statement.

According to Bunning, before the Senate adjourned for the Easter recess, the two parties had agreed to pass a one-week extension of unemployment benefits that was fully paid for and would not add to the deficit.

However, the Democratic leadership dropped the idea knowing the benefits would expire.

Jim Manley, a spokesman for majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), confirmed that there were indeed talks but denied that any deals were made.

Manley said that it would have made no sense to lock in a budget cut for a temporary extension.

A cloture motion is expected to be voted on April 12 that will set up a vote on the bill later in the week.