Background: H.R. 589 — The “Tier 5 Bill”
On February 9th of this year, Representatives Barbara Lee (California) and Bobby Scott (Virginia) introduced H.R. 589.
- The bill proposes an additional 14 weeks of unemployment benefits for Americans who have exhausted both their regular unemployment benefits as well as the additional tiers of unemployment extensions.
- Over 1.5 million Americans would stand to benefit from the extension.
- If passed, the bill would cost between $14 and $20 billion dollars.
How a Vote Would Happen
- Currently, the bill is tied up with the House Ways & Means Committee.
- In order for H.R. 589 to be voted on by the House of Representatives, it must leave the Ways & Means Committee. This can happen one of two ways: 1. the Committee votes or 2. the head of the Ways & Means Committee provides a waiver.
- H.R. 589 has 80 “co-sponsors” – referring to the other Congressional representatives who support the unemployment extension bill. As it currently stands, all of the co-sponsors are Democrats.
- Despite having the support of 80 members of Congress, the Bill has not received much attention in the Ways & Means Committee because the Committee is controlled by Republicans. They do not support the bill because of the additional costs.
Timing of the Bill?
Having spoken with the offices of both Representative Barbara Lee and Representative Bobby Scott this week, we are told that they are still working diligently to receive attention for H.R. 589, but that the timing of a vote is unclear.
What do YOU think?
- Will Congress listen to the 99ers?
- What will you do if your benefits expire?
- How should the government help promote job growth?
