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 ofchecks 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. Harman (D) x Rep. Horn (R) x Rep. Tucker (D) x Rep. Waters (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. Harman (D) x Rep. Horn (R) x Rep. Tucker (D) x Rep. Waters (D) x

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate