[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10909-S10911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2009

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the pending business.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       Motion to proceed to the consideration of H.R. 3548, a bill 
     to amend the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, to 
     provide for the temporary availability of certain additional 
     emergency unemployment compensation, and for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate on the motion?
  The question is on agreeing to the motion.
  The motion was agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 3548) to amend the Supplemental Appropriations 
     Act, 2008, to provide for the temporary availability of 
     certain additional emergency unemployment compensation, and 
     for other purposes.


                           Amendment No. 2712

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Baucus and Senator Reid 
of Nevada, I call up a substitute amendment, which is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid], for himself and Mr. 
     Baucus, proposes an amendment numbered 2712.

  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.


                             Cloture Motion

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I now have a cloture motion at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented 
pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.

[[Page S10910]]

  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

                             Cloture Motion

  We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of 
rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move to bring to 
a close debate on the Baucus-Reid amendment No. 2712 to H.R. 3548, the 
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009.
         Max Baucus, Byron L. Dorgan, Edward E. Kaufman, Mark L. 
           Pryor, Jeff Bingaman, Tom Udall, Roland W. Burris, Tim 
           Johnson, Mary L. Landrieu, Patty Murray, Al Franken, 
           Michael F. Bennet, Benjamin L. Cardin, Richard J. 
           Durbin, Herb Kohl, Mark Begich.


                Amendment No. 2713 to Amendment No. 2712

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have a first-degree perfecting amendment 
at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment 
     numbered 2713 to amendment No. 2712.

  The amendment is as follows:
  At the end of the amendment, add the following:

       This section shall become effective 7 days after enactment.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on that 
amendment.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.


                Amendment No. 2714 to Amendment No. 2713

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment at the 
desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment 
     numbered 2714 to amendment No. 2713.

  The amendment is as follows:

       In the amendment, strike ``7'' and insert ``6''.


                Amendment No. 2715 To Amendment No. 2712

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk to the 
language proposed to be stricken.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment 
     numbered 2715 to the language proposed to be stricken by 
     amendment No. 2712.

  The amendment is as follows:
  At the end of the language proposed to be stricken, insert the 
following:

       This section shall become effective 5 days after enactment.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on that.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.


                Amendment No. 2716 to Amendment No. 2715

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment at the 
desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment 
     numbered 2716 to amendment No. 2715.
       In the amendment:
       Strike ``5'' and insert ``4''.


                             cloture motion

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have a cloture motion on the bill at the 
desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented 
pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

                             Cloture Motion

       We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the 
     provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, 
     hereby move to bring to a close debate on H.R. 3548, the 
     Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009.
         Max Baucus, Al Franken, Byron L. Dorgan, Michael F. 
           Bennet, Edward E. Kaufman, Benjamin Cardin, Mark Pryor, 
           Richard Durbin, Jeff Bingaman, Herb Kohl, Tom Udall, 
           Mark Begich, Roland Burris, Tim Johnson, Mary L. 
           Landrieu, Patty Murray.


                Motion to Commit with Amendment No. 2717

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have a motion to commit the bill with 
instructions, which is also at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the motion.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] moves to commit the bill 
     to the Finance Committee, with instructions to report back 
     forthwith with an amendment numbered 2717.

  The amendment is as follows:

       At the end insert the following: ``This section shall 
     become effective 3 days after enactment of the bill.''.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on that motion.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.


                           Amendment No. 2718

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have an amendment to the instructions at 
the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amended 
     numbered 2718.

  The amendment is as follows:

       In the amendment, strike ``3'' and insert ``2''.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
  There is a sufficient second.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.


                Amendment No. 2719 To Amendment No. 2718

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment to the 
instructions.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] proposes an amendment 
     numbered 2719 to amendment number 2718.

  The amendment is as follows:

       In the amendment, strike ``2'' and insert ``1''.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
resume consideration of H.R. 3548 on Monday, November 2 at 4 p.m., and 
that the time until 5 p.m. be equally divided and controlled between 
the leaders or their designees; that at 5 p.m. the Senate proceed to 
vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Baucus-Reid substitute 
amendment, and that the mandatory quorums required under rule XXII be 
waived.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the 
legislation before us to extend unemployment insurance benefits for 
millions of out-of-work Americans. Families across this Nation are 
hurting, and 15.1 million Americans are currently unemployed. It is 
imperative that legislation to provide relief to those hardest hit by 
the economic downturn is passed without further delay.
  The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 would: Extend 
unemployment insurance benefits by 14 weeks; and, provide an additional 
6-week extension for those living in States with unemployment rates of 
8.5 percent or higher, such as California.
  This adds up to a 20-week extension of unemployment benefits for 
those in the toughest job markets. The legislation is fully-offset, and 
would not increase the deficit or national debt.
  Congress last acted to temporarily extend unemployment insurance 
benefits in November 2008. Additionally, the economic stimulus bill 
enacted in February increased benefits by $100 a month, providing much-
needed help to those struggling to make ends meet. But, the 
unemployment rate continues to rise. Jobless Americans need an 
extension of unemployment benefits, and they need it now.
  As of September, the national unemployment rate stands at 9.8 
percent--the highest in 26 years--263,000 jobs were lost last month, 
and 7.6 million have been lost since the recession began in December 
2007.
  My home State of California has been hit particularly hard. The 
unemployment rate has risen to 12.2 percent, significantly higher than 
the National average. The number of people unemployed in California as 
of September was 2,247,000.
  There are 12 States with a smaller population than the number of 
unemployed Californians: Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, 
Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and 
Wyoming. Mr. President, 71,000 out-of-work Californians have already 
exhausted their unemployment benefits this month. According to the

[[Page S10911]]

California Employment Development Department--EDD, an estimated 170,000 
Californians will exhaust their benefits by the end of 2009 if Congress 
does not act.
  Not only are more workers losing their jobs, but it continues to be 
more difficult for the unemployed to find work again. The number of 
Americans who have been jobless for 6 months or longer has reached a 
record 5.4 million.
  America has faced tough economic times before, including four periods 
of recession since 1980. During all of these recessions we see a 
disturbing pattern: laid-off workers exhausting their unemployment 
benefits. By the year's end, 1.3 million people across the nation will 
lose their unemployment insurance benefits, and 7,000 Americans are 
running out of benefits on a daily basis.
  These are more than just statistics or numbers on a page. Every 
percentage, or data point, tells the story of another family impacted 
by downsizing, a factory shutting down, or a local small business 
forced to close its doors.
  The numbers don't tell the full story of the pain, anxiety, and 
challenges out-of-work Americans are facing. Here are some personal 
examples from Californians who have written to my office.
  A former Chemist from Solana Beach, California wrote:

       I have a Masters in Chemistry in drug discovery and have 
     worked for 15 years in this manner. And though I apply almost 
     every day to any and all jobs I might be a candidate or hired 
     (including entry level positions in and out of my field, 
     waiter, grocery store, fast food, hardware store, etc) I have 
     only had two interviews in the last 3 months and worked 2 
     weeks as a temp. No one wants to hire a Masters in Science 
     for an $8 per hour job even less in my traditional career. 
     Please vote yes to extend unemployment insurance.

  A single mother from Rio Dell, California wrote:

       Please, PLEASE do what you can to help with the Federal 
     extension for unemployment benefits. I will receive my final 
     check in a matter of days. I am a single mother who is barely 
     surviving and fear losing my place to live. I have already 
     received one eviction notice from my landlord due to paying 
     my rent late. I fear I will lose parental custody if I can't 
     keep a roof over our heads. I have carefully documented my 
     work search, but the hope of finding employment is dwindling 
     along with my hope of providing the most basic necessities 
     such as water, heat, and shelter as winter approaches. I live 
     in Rio Dell where the base rate for water and sewer was just 
     raised to $90 per month. I'm now a month behind. I don't have 
     a spouse or family to help me. I don't even have a car 
     anymore. I know I'm not the only one in this position, but it 
     is of little consolation. So please help. The farther a 
     person gets down, the harder the climb back up. We are in a 
     devastating situation that needs immediate attention and 
     reparation. I sincerely appreciate your time and 
     consideration.''

  A former Postal Service employee from Grass Valley, California wrote:

       Dear Ms. Feinstein, I am writing regarding the unemployment 
     extension. I am a single mother struggling to keep my 
     daughter clean, fed and in school. I was laid-off from the US 
     Postal Service and have been desperately looking for work 
     with no luck. Please urge your colleagues to pass this 
     legislation as soon as possible and then work on possible 
     inequities between the states. Thank you very much for your 
     time.

  These are only a handful of the nearly 2,000 letters my office has 
received. It breaks my heart to read such stories, and I am sure that 
many of my colleagues are hearing from constituents facing the same 
tough circumstances.
  The situation for those in high unemployment states, such as 
California, is urgent, and, it is not just about preserving a social 
safety net or helping those who have paid into the system while they 
were employed. The unemployment crisis feeds the foreclosure crisis 
which leads to continued instability in the housing market which was 
the catalyst for the economic downturn in the first place. Put another 
way, the longer this legislation is delayed, the longer our economic 
recovery is delayed.
  This extension is a targeted action that will quickly put money into 
the hands of those who need it most, and are most likely to spend it 
immediately on everyday necessities. According to Mark Zandi, chief 
economist of Moody's Economy.com, every dollar spent on unemployment 
benefits generates a return of $1.64. Given the gravity of the 
unemployment situation, we have an obligation to take responsible 
action. There is no time for further delay, or political gamesmanship.
  Some will argue that we do not need to extend benefits again, but 
with the increasing unemployment rate, more job losses, and the jobless 
staying unemployed for longer periods, American families need a break. 
We must address the underlying causes of the economic instability 
facing our Nation. More incentives are needed to ease the flow of 
credit to businesses and consumers. Special attention must be given to 
the small businesses that in many communities are the primary engine 
for job creation and economic development. But, the choice before us 
today with this legislation is clear.
  We should pass this legislation now.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill to provide immediate 
assistance to out-of-work Americans and aid our Nation's economic 
recovery.

                          ____________________