HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Extension of Unemployment Benefits
The House passed and sent to the Senate a bill (HR 920) providing extra weeks of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. Depending on the state, 20 or 26 additional weeks of checks will go to an estimated two million individuals who exhaust their initial 26 weeks. Because the $5.7-billion cost is defined as emergency spending, it will be added to the deficit rather than offset by revenue increases or spending cuts.
Supporter David E. Skaggs (D-Colo.) said, “We can’t ignore the needs of the people hardest hit by the recession. . . .”
Opponent Bill Archer (R-Tex.) said the bill “will drive up the deficit by another $5.7 billion at the very time we are supposed to be reducing it.”
The vote was 254 to 161. A yes vote was to pass the bill.
How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Horn (R) x Rep. Roybal-Allard (D) x Rep. Royce (R) x Rep. Torres (D) x Rep. Tucker (D) x
Hatch Act Overhaul The House rejected a bill that would overhaul the Hatch Act to allow federal civilian employees and postal workers to engage in partisan political activity on their own time. The 275-142 margin fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the bill (HR 20) under a shortcut procedure. Sponsors predicted success when they bring it up again under rules requiring only a simple majority vote for passage.
Supporter William L. Clay (D-Mo.) said, “No democratic government anywhere in the world prohibits its . . . workers from participating in politics.”
Opponent Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) said, “This bill will politicize the federal work force.”
A yes vote was to allow partisan political activity by federal civilian employees.
How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Horn (R) x Rep. Roybal-Allard (D) x Rep. Royce (R) x Rep. Torres (D) x Rep. Tucker (D) x
Where to Reach Them Steve Horn, 38th District 4010 Watson Plaza Drive, Suite 160, Lakewood 90712 (310) 425-1336 Lucille Roybal-Allard, 33rd District 255 E. Temple St., Suite 1860, Los Angeles 90012. (213) 628-9230 Ed Royce, 39th District 305 N. Harbor Blvd., Suite 300, Fullerton 92632 (714) 992-8081 Esteban E. Torres, 34th District 8819 Whittier Blvd., Suite 101, Pico Rivera 90660 (310) 695-0702 Walter R. Tucker III, 37th District 2555 Industry Way, Suite D, Lynwood 90262 (213) 249-4981 Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate
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