Congress debates jobless benefits
Members of Maine’s congressional delegation support the extension of unemployment benefits set to expire next month, affecting nearly 4,000 jobless Mainers.
Congress is exploring several proposals to extend unemployment benefits before the end of the year, including a proposal to extend benefits through 2012 but preserve the 99-week cap, Capitol News Service reported. Another proposal backed by President Obama would extend benefits for 26 weeks. About 4,000 Mainers will run out of benefits next month, and more than 17,000 are expected to lose benefits in the next several months, if an extension is not passed.
U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe said debate will center on how to pay for a benefits extension. U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said he supports training opportunities to help unemployed learn new skills to be hired. More than 23,000 Mainers were receiving unemployment benefits at the end of November, with an average weekly benefit of $278.
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