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The Unemployment rate across the United States continues to remain at high levels. Trending for the national unemployment rate peaked late 2010 and has not wavered much from that point. Currently, the national unemployment rate in the United States is hovering around 9.6% which is about 5% higher than it was just over two years ago. Unemployment benefits need to be extended but Democrats and Republicans will have to cooperate to pass an extension of unemployment benefits. An unemployment extension could add additional weeks to the 99 weeks that are already provided and if there is no congressional movement on this topic, then benefits could expire come the end of November. More specifically, two million people will have to find another way to pay their bills and put food on the table next month if Congress does nothing in the next several weeks to extend unemployment benefits coverage. According to the National Employment Law Project, the deadline to file for federal unemployment checks expires on November 30th and if this deadline is not moved back, almost 1 million people in America will stop receiving unemployment checks from the government within four days. The economy is barely moving towards recovery now and if an extension is not provided, then we might have to add over three million more people to the list of individuals living in poverty. Republicans have recently gained more power in the House and talk of fiscal responsibility and not adding to the national budget deficit. Republicans have also blocked attempts at unemployment extensions several times this past year due to the above listed reasons. Now that Republicans have gained control of the House and added seats in the Senate, extending benefits to those in need might be even more difficult. Author: Stephen Johnson
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