March 26,2010

Baucus Rebukes Objection to Extending Benefits for Out-of-Work Americans

Finance Chairman calls for 30-day extension of unemployment insurance, COBRA health benefits, while Congress works to pass longer-term extension

Washington, DC – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today urged his colleagues to support a short-term extension of eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits and assistance in paying COBRA health insurance premiums for unemployed workers, while Congress works to pass a longer-term extension.  Without an extension, eligibility for these programs is set to expire at the end of March.  

“These benefits are the only thing keeping food on the table for many folks in Montana and across the country who are struggling to find jobs and make ends meet,” Baucus said.  “I implore my colleagues not to stand in the way of extending unemployment and COBRA insurance so hard-working American families and communities don’t lose the benefits they depend on for survival as we work to create jobs and pass a more permanent solution.” 

Republicans in the Senate objected today to passage of the Continuing Extension Act of 2010, H.R. 4851, a 30-day extension of eligibility for unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits that would prevent American families and communities from losing the benefits they depend on for survival in this tough economy.   

Baucus has been a leader in Senate efforts to ensure unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits do not lapse as Congress works to create jobs.  On March 1, Baucus introduced the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act, H.R. 4213, along with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), to extend eligibility for unemployment and COBRA benefits through the end of 2010, and the Senate passed the bill March 10.  The House of Representatives passed its long-term extenders bill December 9, and leaders in the House and Senate are working to merge the two bills and send legislation to President Obama soon.

More information on the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act that passed the Senate  is available on the Finance Committee website at: http://finance.senate.gov/newsroom/chairman/release/?id=c6631141-895c-44ea-93dd-f76782b09dbf.

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