Conservatives and Democrats Push Foreclosure Crisis in the Background as they Spar Over Jobless Benefits
The foreclosure crisis has been pushed into the background as the two parties spar. The Republicans and some conservative Democrats are blocking further extension of unemployment benefits leaving with cold at Christmas time. They contend that they will give the nod if the money comes from unused funds lying in the stimulus kitty but not at the cost further burdening the budget deficit that is already running in trillions. Democrats on the other hand contend that by further stretching the benefits beyond the 99 days will infuse the economy with funds.
The Republicans did not have to pay a political price for blocking efforts from the beginning of this year. During a stretch of seven weeks last summer the issue on extending jobless coverage failed. Bad publicity on this issue had already been forecasted.
Another thorny issue is the extension of income tax cuts – a legacy of the Bush era. The Democrats are hoping that by making a compromise and allowing continuation of income tax cats for the wealthy the Republicans will be amenable to allowing an extension of jobless benefits.
Rep Mike Pence (Republican/Indiana) holding a third rank in the House among his party members, opined that the extension of unemployment coverage has to be paid now and not later if the support of fiscal conservatives is to be won over. Courtney Kolb speaking on behalf of Pence said, “The fact that we have to keep extending unemployment benefits shows that the economic policies of this administration have failed”.
Speaking to The Associated Press Hilda Solis (Labour Secretary) said the it would be a great mistake on the part of the Congress if it failed to extend the unemployment benefits. She added, “This is a bad way to to start off the new, incoming session of new politicians that said that they wanted to make government work for people in a better way”.
Carol Hardison of Crisis Assistance Ministry at Charlotte, North Carolina said that even allowing extension by the Congress would be nothing better than a temporary step. Since the onset of the Great Recession in 2007 December, 20,000 new clients have called on her. She added, “We’re going to have a new conversation with the people who are still suffering, about the potentially drastic changes they’re going to have to make to stay out of the homeless shelters”.
