Thread: Expansion of Unemployment Ins, Stalled by ACORN, Immigration

Expansion of Umemployment Insurance, Stalled by ACORN, Immigration Amendments

By Mike Lillis 10/20/09 2:52 PM

The stalling of legislation to expand unemployment insurance (UI) has little to do with the benefit itself. First, there’s a push to attach an extended homebuyer tax credit to the bill — something the Obama administration is wary of.

But also there’s this: Republicans are hoping to attach a number of amendments related to ACORN and immigration — provisions that have delayed floor action on the UI bill indefinitely, according to the offices of both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The agreement ends after that.

The Republican amendments include at least two provisions related to ACORN; one related to the E-Verify program; one to pay for the UI benefits with unspent stimulus money; and one providing tax relief.

Reid’s office says the amendments are unrelated and therefore have no place in the debate over jobless benefits. “These are tactics that Republicans have used in the past to delay,â€

[quote]Reid’s office says the amendments are unrelated and therefore have no place in the debate over jobless benefits. “These are tactics that Republicans have used in the past to delay,â€