(See Alexi Giannoulias' response below the fold.)
As we noted last night, the U.S. House has officially approved -- by a wide margin -- H.R. 3548, a bill that would provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance to workers from 27 states (as well as the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico) where unemployment rates top 8.5 percent. For the 20,000 workers in Illinois who have already exhausted their benefits and the 50,000 more who will do so at the end of the year, the short-term assistance could help prevent financial collapse. The extension will also spur consumer spending, one major goal of the Obama administration's stimulus plan. "With the unemployment rate in Illinois at over 10 percent," Rep. Phil Hare said after the vote, "it makes perfect sense to continue to provide unemployment benefits so ordinary people can pay their bills and hold onto their homes."
Not according to two of Hare's Republican colleagues from Illinois. Rep. Peter Roskam was one of just 83 representatives to vote against the bill. Meanwhile, U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk -- along with Democratic Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Bobby Rush -- missed that vote and the two other roll calls taken yesterday evening.
In the past, Jackson and Rush have consistently supported extending unemployment benefits. But how would Kirk voted if he had been in attendance?
It's hard to know. Last year around this time, Kirk voted in favor of a bill to provide an additional 13 weeks of jobless benefits. However, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee points out in a press release this morning that he has previously "voted at least eight times" against extending benefits that were about to run out (6/11/08, 6/12/08, 2/4/04, 6/3/04, 5/22/03, 5/15/03, 1/8/03, 10/24/01).
What we do know is that, around the time the roll call was taking place in D.C., Kirk tweeted that his Senate campaign was "currently working on a site redesign." I'm sure the unemployed in Illinois will be happy to hear that ...
The Senate is expected to approve the extension quickly, which would take effect as soon as it is signed into law. We'll be sure to provide more updates as they surface.
UPDATE (12:00 PM): Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias just put out the following statement in response to Kirk's missed vote:
"Congressman Mark Kirk can't decide whether tens of thousands looking for work here in Illinois should be able to keep their benefits. Wherever you were tweeting from in Washington, Congressman, you should know there is a recession back here in Illinois and people are hurting. After all, it was your votes that helped put thousands of Illinoisans out of work to begin with," said Giannoulias.
Comments
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:50
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What we do know is that, around the time the roll call was taking place in D.C., Kirk tweeted that his Senate campaign was "currently working on a site redesign." I'm sure the unemployed in Illinois will be happy to hear that ...
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Heaven help us all if it were actually Kirk who was redesigning the website instead of his Campaign staff.
Attackers must be pretty desperate if misconstruing Tweets is the best they can do to keep the press and bloggers away from them.
Oh, look...a kitty!
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 14:53
Umm, what about kitty? What is questionable about going after a congressman who votes against the common good of the people in a desperate time? No wonder you posted that anonlymously.
Bob Fox (not verified) on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 10:48
I think that any congressman or senator that votes against the people, we should make an effort that He/She would not get re-elected. We vote to put them in to protect us, not sweep us under a rock and say good ridiance.
Lets get the list and make sure we pass it around to all voters and make sure no monies is donated to thier re-election.
Thank You
Bob
I am not afraid to speak my word, along as it is in good taste, to stop the greedy politicians. All senators and Congresmen are millionaires so why do they care.
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:59
Adam: Do some actual reporting. Call Kirk's office and ask.
Instead you just parrot partisan press releases and then quote a Kirk opponent that was just endorsed by the very organization that is the single sponsor of Progress Illinois.
Pick up the phone and do some actual reporting. Unless you want to be an oppo rag.
Melissa (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 12:29
So Congressman Kirk (R-China) thinks it is more important to twitter about himself than do his job. Thanks for posting this PI. Good Job! Yeah, you should call and ask what he was doing, while thousands of his constituents are out of work and busting their hides trying to land a job in this George W Bush economy, which Kirk unapologetically advocated for.
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 22:10
My thoughts exactly!
OPPO RAG LOVER (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 12:23
Thanks Adam, I got a lot out of your report.
John Watson
Unemployed
Ellen Beth Gill (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 14:35
Adam could call every minute for the next 30 days and still not get an answer from Kirk's office. As far as I'm concerned, Kirk did vote. He voted: "I'm worried about winning my primary and could care less about you."
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 22:21
I was reading another "article" here and found the content odd. Thanks for tipping me off to "Progress Illinois" having a single sponsor that endorsed Giannoulias. I'll keep move along.
On second thought, I'm sick of the rigged political game and truly offended these people are gaming me and then calling themselves "progressive". I'll stop by every so often and take note of all candidates I should vote against.
And people complain about MSM screwing us over!
Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 09:19
Anonymous- How are "these people gaming you"? This site is very open about its sponsor, both within the articles and in the "about" page. So a progressive blog writes about a Democrat who happens to be endorsed by SEIU. Oh no, I smell a big conspiracy to trick you.
Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 11:44
Please, these people get elected and have it made. Seems like on vacation more then working. surely hard to get elected but once there it's time for another vacation. Healthcare isn't going to happen. So let's get on to things that are possible.
Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 12:28
Does anyone know exactly when the Senate will vote on the bill and get it signed into law. I have received my last ck and there is still no jobs available here in KY.
Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 22:34
I'm so there in the same boat with ya Anonymous in KY. Got my last check last friday, does that still allow us to be eligible for the extension? I sure hope so, we lived in Illinois then moved here to be closer to family in KY, but guess what no jobs here either. Been diligently looking for over a year now....very frustrating!!!
Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 22:35
I think they should back pay us people that ran out in july first, then give it until there are jobs, yea, thats what I think. then we could get caught back up. and not have to worry about loosing our homes, some of us have addictions you know! no money no fun.....
ROSIE (not verified) on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 12:17
DAMM THE SENATE SURE DOES TAKE THEIR TIME, BUT WHY SHOULDNT THEY I BET THEY GET A FAT CHECK EVERY WEEK!!!!! LAZY AZZ BASTARDS SIGN THE DAMM BILL ALREADY!!!!!!
JC (not verified) on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 16:46
Why don't we extend it for 13 months instead of 13 weeks. Better yet just pass a law that it should be indefinate. I thought the Dems were going to turn this thing around. I thought the 800 billion dollar stimulas solved all of our problems and we are now out of the recession. Enough with the free money, get yourself off the coach and go find a job.
jon sillmore (not verified) on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 06:36
That is the problem ASS HOLE.....there are no jobs dick licker!!
Karla (not verified) on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 12:20
Email your senators and ask them for the following:
Why not propose an amendment making the benefits retroactive to the date of passage of the bill in the House? That would remove much of the Republicans' incentive for keeping it stalled. Those who have continued applying for jobs would be able to recoup some of the money they are now borrowing in order to maintain their living expenses, and those who have not kept applying for jobs would not be eligible for the retroactive benefits. At least it would help some people, even those whose benefits expired before September, toward some of their living costs, and it could get the bill moving again.
tim (not verified) on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:49
I think I'm confused. Don't we pay taxes and support our government so that when things like this happen we are protected. Whos money is it anyway that the senate is playing with? Ours right? Its time to look for some really smart people who have experience living like the average american to join our senate. I feel the government could put alot of financial things on hold till we can get back on track. I'm no expert or anything. I'm just a guy with a little common sense...... And btw why is it called common sense? Everywhere I look I don't see it to common
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