An Amendment by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to bring the unemployment extensions issue to a vote was blocked by Bush, and Senate Republicans on February 11, 2004. The Amendment to the Highway Construction Bill would have probably approved the unemployment extensions, that were already authorized by the US House of Representatives.

An estimated 400,000 workers are being cut off of unemployment by Bush, and Senate

Republicans. The anemic job creation rates have created an economic environment, where unemployment extensions, are needed now.

Bush, and Senate Republicans antiworker, and antiunion legislative maneuvers will probably be held accountable at the ballot box. President Bush lied about being a compassionate conservative, and now he has enlisted Senate Majority leader Bill Frist

into his war against the American Worker, and the middle class.

Email the US Senate now to extend unemployment benefits.

I am a baby-boomer with 25yrs experience. I was down size due to age. When looking for a job I am told I have to much expeience, or I need a BA or BS. Well, I went back to school evenings three yrs ago to head off this potential problem but do not finish my degree till Dec 04. So I have been on unemployment since Oct 03. It is about to run out and I can live with out any income. Extensions have been granted for the last 3yrs i understand and now with unemployment at it's highest it sits in Congress since Jan???? What going on? I vote Republican in most cases, and talk up the canidates but I think President Bush and the other Republican running had better create jobs and extensions or people will surely take this in consideration in November. So I will end this with one final comment. What is the hold up???

Down with unemployment benefits. It's just wasteful big government spending. Stop sucking on the federal teat, freeloading welfare addict.

The current number of people cut off unemployment by Bush, and Senate Republicans has increased to 1.1 million. The number of people losing their benefits increased to 176,700

in California, 52,800 in Illinois, 103,300 in New York, 72,000 in

Texas, 48,500 in Michigan, and 41,900 in Florida.

As more people are cut off children are going without food,

unemployed workers are evicted, health insurance is canceled, and a growing number of unemployed workers are

without any funds to continue their job search. Many of these

people are increasingly dissatisfied with the lies, and double

talk of Bush, and Senate Republicans. One need only read some of the sad stories of the workers posted on the web to feel the pain that Bush, and Senate Republicans are causing in this country.

For more on the extensions check out:

http://www.cbpp.org/3-25-04ui.htm

http://cantwell.senate.gov/news/releases/2004_02_12_ui.html

Email Bush, and the US Senate at:

http://www.unemployedworkers.org/index.cfm

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Senator Maria Cantwell offered another amendment to try to prevent 1.1 million laid off workers from being cut off their unemployment extensions on March 31, 2004.

The Bush Administration, and some Republican leaders in the Senate have again obstructed the Cantwell Amendment, and cut off 1.1 million workers from their extensions.

The need for unemployment extensions is severe in many areas, because of low job creation rates. Children of the unemployed are going without food in many areas, and eviction, and foreclosure rates are increasing. Workers need the Senate to approve the unemployment extensions now, so that they have a few more weeks to look for work.

Republican Senators Voinovich, and Senator Grassley have expressed an interest in extending unemployment benefits, or of at least allowing another vote. The unemployment extensions may be picking up bipartisan support.

Email the Senate to reauthorize the unemployment extensions:

http://action.nelp.org/action/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

For more information check out:

http://cantwell.senate.gov/news/releases/2004_03_31_ui.html

http://www.unemployedworkers.org/extend_jobless_benefits/extupdate042903.cfm

It's not "welfare" but a risk-reduction program that workers pay into, and can get help from when needed.

It's a little screwed up, but, not so much because too many people get it, but that "independent contractors", aka temps who don't have a pimp, have a hard time qualifying for unemployment benefits, even if they contributed to it within the eligibility timeframe.

Also, the maximum benefit is a bit low, and not adjusted for local markets.

The point of UI isn't just a "handout" but to keep people afloat when they are between jobs. Every cent put into UI goes back into the economy to purchase necessary goods. It's the best kind of social welfare, and would be implemented in any sane society.

Senator Kerry, and Senator Dayton have joined Senator

Cantwell in opposition to Bush, Frist, and Nickles' obstruction of the extensions. Senator Frist has been instrumental in cutting 1.1 million people off from their extensions.

Despite the fact that the March jobs report was positive the unemployment rate still increased from 5.6 to 5.7 percent. Moreover, it takes workers time to find jobs, so the extensions are needed now--more than ever.

Children of the unemployed are going without food, and evictions, and foreclosures are increasing because of Frist, Bush, and Nickles.

There was a protest against Bush, Frist, and Nickles in Centralia Illinois on April 9th, to favor unemployment extensions.

For more check out:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40572-2004Mar31.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/04/02/politics1518EST0661.DTL

http://www.morningsentinel.com/news/2004/0406/Front_Page/005.html

Like Ann Richards once said so correctly, Poor George, he was born with a silver spoon in his___.

We MUST send a message to the rich republicans that WE WON'T TAKE IT ANY MORE!!

Work your arse off to get King George out in November. It will be one of the finest things you can do in your life as an American.

I am a native Texan, and I am far more embarrased than the Dixie Chicks that he represents our fine state.

Kenny Pirkle