Congress has just 15 days until the current authorization for unemployment insurance expires, potentially taking with it happy holidays not just for the people relying on the benefits, but for the nation's retailers who rely on the holiday shopping season for as much as 20% of their revenues for the year.
With that in mind, a a new poll by Hart Research Associates [pdf] commissioned by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) finds that nearly 75 percent of Americans say that it is too early to cut off jobless benefits, and they reject the idea that benefits should be cut because of deficit concerns. From the statement released with the poll:
“There is deep public support for continuing the federal unemployment programs at a time when unemployment is at 9.6% and millions are still out of work,” said Christine Owens, Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project. “Support for continuing these programs trumps concerns about the deficit – which should be no surprise when nearly half of all unemployed workers have been looking for work for more than six months but have not been able to find jobs. Now, if Congress fails to renew the benefits that expire November 30th, two million workers will be cut off in December alone. For the sake of the economy and millions of struggling families, Congress should continue these programs for a full year,” said Owens.
The poll specifically finds that when asked which statement they agree with more, 73% of voters agree that “With unemployment at nine point six percent and millions still out of work, it is too early to start cutting back benefits for workers who lost their jobs,” while only 24% of voters agree that “With the federal deficit over one trillion dollars, it is time for the government to start cutting back on unemployment benefits for the unemployed.” Additionally, two-thirds (67%) believe the programs should continue until there is a significant drop in the jobless rate....
The poll reveals diverse and strong support for the federal benefit programs across all geographic regions, educational and socioeconomic levels, political affiliations and races.
- Democrats and independents, for example, overwhelmingly agree that it is too early to cut benefits (83% and 80%, respectively), as do a majority of Republicans (55%).
- Democrats (82%), independents (70%), and a majority of midterm Republican voters (54%) all believe Congress should continue to provide benefits until the unemployment situation improves.
- African-Americans (79%) and Hispanics (68%) show particularly strong support for renewing the federal unemployment benefit programs.
NELP is lobbying to have the benefits extended for a full year in the lame duck session, which makes sense given the new Congress that will be sworn in in January, a smart move considering the Congress that is going to be sworn in in January. However, given how difficult it's been to see those extensions passed for just three or four months at a time, getting a full year will be a heavy lift. But if Congress was really listening to the voters on November 2, they'll listen and continue funding jobless benefits.