Trumka Warns Of ‘Downward Spiral’ Unless Congress Aids Jobless
WASHINGTON (PAI)--AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka is warning the nation could head for another “perilous downward spiral” economically unless Congress extends and renews aid to the jobless, and preserves hundreds of thousands of endangered jobs now held by teachers, fire fighters and other workers.
But lawmakers, increasingly spooked by approaching elections and what they perceive as public anger over federal deficits, appear not to be listening to Trumka or his legislative team, which lobbied Congress hard for more jobless benefits.
Instead, senators voted 52-45 not to restore a $25 cut in weekly unemployment benefits. That benefit hike, part of the 2009 stimulus law, helped jobless workers, especially those in low-benefit states like Mississippi and Arkansas.
While the bill senators considered would still extend jobless benefits through Nov. 30, it would not include the extra money. And it would not send $23 billion to states to help avert the layoffs of some 300,000 teachers and other school personnel. The 2009 stimulus law had saved their jobs, too.
“Extended unemployment and health care benefits have been keeping them and our economy afloat,” Trumka said of the jobless workers. “The private sector is not yet creating the jobs we need. This is no time to let up or back off.
“There is a telling absurdity to some members of Congress proposing to cut workers’ unemployment benefits by $25 a week while at the same time protecting wealthy investment managers from being taxed at the same rate as working people.
“We need a jobs bill that will extend unemployment benefits to those who have been looking for jobs without success, provide relief for cash-strapped states to maintain vital services, fund local infrastructure projects, extend COBRA benefits and provide Medicaid assistance to states. Without this funding we stand on the brink of a perilous downward spiral,” he said.
But senators -- notably moderate Democrats -- didn’t listen. Eleven of the 57 Democrats joined an unanimous GOP caucus in killing the $25 in jobless benefits. The House previously approved a jobless benefits bill with the $25. A typical comment came from moderate Sen. David Pryor, D-Ark., who opposed aiding the teachers.
“If times were good and we had lots of money, we might think about it. But times are not good and we don’t have lots of money. I know the states don’t either, but we all have to tighten our belts and do what we can,” he said. Trumka retorts that “while much has been made of the need to reduce the deficit, the truth is that creating jobs is the best solution to fighting long-term deficits.”