I happened to turn on the network news Friday to see an interview with a weeping woman whose unemployment benefits were ending. She told the reporter that since Congress had not extended the emergency benefits passed at the height of the recession, she would likely lose her house now. It was truly sad, but it was another indication of the way the media always plays issues regarding any benefit. In the few instances when those benefits expire, we get wall to wall coverage about the terrible pain inflicted on those who were given a benefit in the first place. Help coming from the government transforms into an expectation of continued help. Any move to end such assistance is a dastardly deed.
It is going to be interesting to see just how the unemployment benefit issue plays out over the next two months. We already know that the Senate is going to take up an extension once it comes back in January. Harry Reid thinks he has a big winner here and he does not want to waste time dealing with things like Obamacare or other problems facing the country. Instead, he will run right to unemployment benefits. That's fine. The House, however, should not just sit there. Republicans should come forward with their own plan to extend the benefits. This will require spending cuts to offset the funds used for the benefits. The House should pass its own plan ASAP and send it to the Senate. It should cut items like foreign aid, perks for Congress and its staff, waivers from Obamacare and the like. Let the debate not be about unemployment benefits--yes or no. Instead, let the Democrats explain why they cannot agree to extend unemployment benefits to protect special interest groups from complying with Obamacare or to keep money flowing to countries like Pakistan that has the doctor who helped us get bin Laden in prison.
Of course, such a move by the House would require quick, coordinated action by the House leadership, so we are unlikely to see it. Nevertheless, it is clearly the better course of action.
It is going to be interesting to see just how the unemployment benefit issue plays out over the next two months. We already know that the Senate is going to take up an extension once it comes back in January. Harry Reid thinks he has a big winner here and he does not want to waste time dealing with things like Obamacare or other problems facing the country. Instead, he will run right to unemployment benefits. That's fine. The House, however, should not just sit there. Republicans should come forward with their own plan to extend the benefits. This will require spending cuts to offset the funds used for the benefits. The House should pass its own plan ASAP and send it to the Senate. It should cut items like foreign aid, perks for Congress and its staff, waivers from Obamacare and the like. Let the debate not be about unemployment benefits--yes or no. Instead, let the Democrats explain why they cannot agree to extend unemployment benefits to protect special interest groups from complying with Obamacare or to keep money flowing to countries like Pakistan that has the doctor who helped us get bin Laden in prison.
Of course, such a move by the House would require quick, coordinated action by the House leadership, so we are unlikely to see it. Nevertheless, it is clearly the better course of action.
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