The Senate is soon expected to easily approve a bipartisan that would renew federal unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless. But, there's very little chance that the proposal will be taken up in the House.
That's according to a WaPo survey of House Republican lawmakers who represent eight states with an unemployment rate above the national average and hail from the same eight states as the 10 senators cosponsoring the Senate bill. Responses from the House Republicans in each of the states appears below -- including each state's recent unemployment data. We will update this list if/when we receive answers from offices yet to respond.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) leaves a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol April 2, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Rhode Island (9.2 percent unemployment rate)
No House Republican lawmakers.
Nevada (8.7 percent)
* Rep. Mark Amodei: A spokesman declined to comment specifically on the current Senate proposal, but added that extending unemployment insurance without offsets to pay for it "increases debt and does nothing to help create jobs, that is bad policy. It may be good politics, but it is bad policy."
* Rep. Joe Heck: He co-signed a letter to Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) in December asking that the House "consider a temporary extension of emergency unemployment insurance to protect an essential safeguard that has aided Americans who have endured through a weak economy." His co-signers were Reps. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.), David Joyce (R-Ohio), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Jon Runyan (R-N.J.). (Joyce, LoBiondo and Runyan are listed below.)
Illinois (8.7 percent)
* Rep. Rodney Davis: A spokesman said last week: "My boss would be willing to support an unemployment insurance extension, but would like to see provisions included that would reform the antiquated WIA process and help out-of-work Americans get off of unemployment and into a job. Two bipartisan bills he's introduced in the House, the Opportunity KNOCKS Act and the Growing Small Business Act, would do just that."
* Rep. Randy Hultgren: In a statement provided this week he said: "Ultimately, the surest weapon against unemployment is a thriving economy where workers like those in Illinois can find jobs and provide for the families. Sometimes, temporary assistance is needed for those who are looking determinedly for work but cannot find it. I would seriously consider any proposal to extend unemployment that comes to the House floor that is fully paid for. I am still looking into the bill proposed by Sens. Kirk and others."
* Rep. Adam Kinzinger: No response
* Rep. Peter Roskam: A spokeswoman said that Roskam "believes we need to be passing legislation that helps the millions of Americans who are unemployed or underemployed get back to work in good-paying, private sector jobs. For the millions of middle class Americans struggling to make ends meet in a sluggish economy, they don't want Washington to just treat the symptoms of the problem; they want us to fix long-term unemployment crisis with a pro-growth agenda that creates jobs."
* Aaron Schock: A spokesman said that Schock did not have a specific position on the Senate bill, but added that the Congressman is "interested in hastening a period of employment rather than extending a period of unemployment insurance."
* John Shimkus: No response
New Jersey (7.1 percent)
* Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen: No response
* Rep. Scott Garrett: No response
* Rep. Leonard Lance: A spokesman said Lance "believes the Senate bill is unworkable as evidenced by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies that said it would be difficult to implement the Senate measure in its current form and would potentially result in months of delay. The Congressman prefers a workable bill crafted in a fiscally responsible manner that is coupled with policies that will lower unemployment, create jobs and grow our economy."
* Rep. Frank LoBiondo: He co-signed the letter to Boehner and Cantor asking that the House "consider a temporary extension of emergency unemployment insurance to protect an essential safeguard that has aided Americans who have endured through a weak economy."
* Rep. Jon Runyan: He co-signed the letter to Boehner and Cantor asking that the House "consider a temporary extension of emergency unemployment insurance to protect an essential safeguard that has aided Americans who have endured through a weak economy."
* Rep. Christopher Smith: No response
Oregon (7 percent)
* Rep. Greg Walden: No response
Ohio (6.9 percent)
* Speaker John A. Boehner: The House leader has expressed "serious concern" with the deal and has cited the concerns of state officials responsible for paying out benefits to out-of-work Americans. When asked about the plan, he has cited a letter written by an association representing state officials who distribute unemployment benefits. They warned that the Senate proposal "would cause considerable delays in the implementation of the program and increased administrative issues and costs."
* Rep. Steve Chabot: A spokesman said the congressman doesn't usually comment on legislation until it is sent to the House for consideration.
* Rep. Bob Gibbs: No response
* Rep. Bill Johnson: He "is open to extending unemployment benefits if it's paid for in a fiscally responsible way, supports job creation, and doesn't unduly burden the states," a spokesman said.
* Rep. Jim Jordan: No response
* Rep. David Joyce: He co-signed the letter to Boehner and Cantor asking that the House "consider a temporary extension of emergency unemployment insurance to protect an essential safeguard that has aided Americans who have endured through a weak economy."
* Rep. Robert Latta: No response
* Rep. Jim Renacci: He believes the unemployment insurance program "should not be extended, but rather the House and the Senate must work together to advance commonsense, bipartisan reforms that will help get our economy back on track and help get those who are unemployed or underemployed the jobs that they need," according to Megan Taylor, his spokeswoman. The program was always meant to temporary and has added $210 billion to the national debt in recent years, she said. Renacci believes that with the number of people collecting the benefits back to levels not seen since 2008, "it is time for the program to end," Taylor said. "We do not need more government stimulus, but rather more efficient and effective solutions for building a healthy economy."
* Rep. Steve Stivers: No response
* Rep. Pat Tiberi: In a statement issued last week he said, "I need to further look into the details of the bill but I have heard that administratively states have concerns about the retroactivity. I certainly understand the difficulties some families are having since my own father lost his job of 25 years back when I was in high school. I'll consider each proposal on its own terms when it comes before the House."
* Rep. Michael Turner: No response
* Rep. Brad Wenstrup: No response
Alaska (6.4 percent)
* Rep. Don Young: No response
Maine (6.2 percent)
No House Republicans
(Note: Unemployment rate is as of Jan. 2014.)
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