The latest scheme to "pay" for the extended unemployment benefits being discussed in the Senate is to extend the sequester for a bit in 2023 and 2024 so as to make up for the current cost. Are they kidding? Is there anyone who actually believes that this is a serious proposal?
Let's lay it all out. Under this latest plan, (1) the federal government will pay out tens of billions of dollars in extra unemployment benefits in 2014; (2) spending will be automatically cut in 2023 and 2024; and (3) nothing will change in the interim to prevent that spending cut. It is difficult to even write that description without laughing. Congress is already getting rid of the sequestration spending cuts in 2014. Is there anyone with even half a brain who thinks that Congress would let cuts in 2023 and 2024 survive?
If there are folks in Washington who do not want to pay for the additional cost of unemployment benefits, let them be honest about it. To me, the worst possible course of action here is to adopt phony methods to "pay" for the benefits.
Let's lay it all out. Under this latest plan, (1) the federal government will pay out tens of billions of dollars in extra unemployment benefits in 2014; (2) spending will be automatically cut in 2023 and 2024; and (3) nothing will change in the interim to prevent that spending cut. It is difficult to even write that description without laughing. Congress is already getting rid of the sequestration spending cuts in 2014. Is there anyone with even half a brain who thinks that Congress would let cuts in 2023 and 2024 survive?
If there are folks in Washington who do not want to pay for the additional cost of unemployment benefits, let them be honest about it. To me, the worst possible course of action here is to adopt phony methods to "pay" for the benefits.
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