CONGRESSWOMAN ELISE STEFANIK
CHAIRWOMAN
H.R. 6419 is expected to be considered on the House floor on Thursday, November 18, 2010, under a suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passage. This legislation was introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) on November 17, 2010.
This bill would provide an extension of unemployment insurance through February 2011. The bill will be declared as emergency spending and is expected to add $12 billion to the deficit.
The bill would extend the emergency unemployment compensation program (EUC) and 100 percent of the extended benefits program (EB) funding through February 2011.
Possible Member Concerns: This legislation would increase deficit by $12 billion, and add to the $13.795 trillion national debt. In addition, a number of economist have warned that prolonged unemployment benefits can theoretically increase unemployment duration by delaying individuals intensity to search for work; economist have long recognized that the availability and value of UI benefits can lengthen the duration of unemployment. Also for consideration:
The last unemployment insurance extension bill, H.R. 4213, was passed in July 2010 and increased spending by $35 billion. That bill extended the EUC program and 100 percent federal financing of the EB program through November 30, 2010.
There is currently no cost estimate provided by the Congressional Budget Office for this bill, however, according to the Ways and Means Republican Staff, this bill is estimated to increase spending by $12 billion.