Senate Avoids Taking Action on Jobless Aid

The Senate suspended business Wednesday amid disagreement over how to proceed on legislation to extend jobless benefits affecting 325,000 unemployed workers.

At issue is the Federal Supplemental Compensation program, which is scheduled to expire on April 7. It provides an extra eight to 14 weeks of benefits to unemployed persons, on top of the regular 26 weeks of state benefits. The number of weeks varies from state to state, depending on unemployment levels. In California, 40,000 persons are receiving 10 weeks of extended benefits.

Legislators in both houses have been reluctant to embrace extension of the program, fearing that they would be accused of fiscal irresponsibility in the face of huge federal deficits and President Reagan’s insistence that the temporary program is no longer needed because the economy has improved.

Supporters Step Up Efforts

But, in the last few days, supporters of the program--which cost $2.7 billion last year--have stepped up efforts to extend it.

On Tuesday, Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) introduced a bill that would renew the program for six months. And some supporters of the program threatened to try to attach an extension amendment to unrelated legislation on the Senate floor.

In the face of that threat, Republican leaders decided not to call the Senate into session. “They didn’t want to get bogged down on this,” said one aide to the leadership.

Several Versions Considered

Several versions of extension legislation are being considered in behind-the-scenes discussions. The Specter-Levin bill would extend the program for six months. Another plan discussed would phase out the program after workers now drawing benefits have exhausted them. No new people would be allowed to enter the program under this plan.

In the House, Democrats on Wednesday endorsed a resolution calling for a three-month extension of the program.