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Politics & Government

Congress' Inaction Could Mean Less Cash

Schakowsky pledges to work through the holidays to keep critical programs going. Dold open to all ideas.

 

Millions of Americans face the prospect of less money in their pockets next year and  said she is willing to keep working through the holidays if necessary to make sure it does not happen. 

, who introduced legislation in September to resolve part of the problem, is working hard as well. He wants to see extensions pass before they expire.

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As part of President Barack Obama’s effort to stimulate the economy, working Americans have been paying less payroll tax, effectively increasing their disposable income. People who are out of work have been receiving extended unemployment benefits since 2009. 

Though Dold wanted to see an elimination of payroll tax for a period of time for employers who hired new workers, he indicated a willingness to work with the President’s ideas after they were announced. 

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Both the payroll tax holiday and extended unemployment benefits cease at the end of the year without Congressional intervention and movement on the issues has been slow. 

“We’re not going home (for the holidays),” Schakowsky said of her pledge to solve the problem as quickly as possible. “That’s the word from our leadership and the President. The President is going to hold us here until we’re done.” 

Several proposals have been floated in both the House and the Senate adding additional provisions onto the payroll tax holiday extension such as the Keystone Pipeline, an oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Earlier:

Schakowsky wants none of it. She claims it is political maneuvering when people are suffering.

“There is no reason to do this except poke the President in the eye,” she said of the additions by Republicans. “He (the President) was pretty clear in what he had to say.” 

Dold also favors a payroll tax holiday and an extension of unemployment benefits. Though he has not indicated he favors adding anything to either piece of legislation, he is keeping an open mind to all possibilities. 

“As there are multiple plans being circulated in Washington, Congressman Dold is open to looking at these options and others as long as they include the appropriate payfors.” Dold Congressional Communications Director Stefani Zimmerman said. 

While Dold is keeping his options open, one change Schakowsky will not countenance is shortening the period for extended unemployment benefits from 99 weeks to 59 weeks as some Republicans have proposed. 

“It’s very upsetting they will undo this for the people who need it most,” Schakowsky said. “It’s not going to pass the Senate and the President is not going to sign it into law,” she added citing a need for less partisanship and more legislation. 

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