On Thursday, the US House voted to extend unemployment benefits an additional 26 weeks in states with severe economic problems, like our own Michigan.
The amendment passed 256-166.
Guess who voted against the amendment?

That's right, our own "compassionate conservative", Congressman Tim Walberg!

He voted against extra weeks of benefits for our own neighbors, who are struggling in the poor economy, and based on the bill, I bet it's because there was a surtax of .5% on those making over $500,000 or couples making over $1,000,000!

Well, at least we know who Tim is looking out for...I'm sure this will mean more CFG dollars for the fall campaign!

Update by Fitzy: Just to add to elviscostello's post, here's the Detroit News on the vote, via Michigan Liberal:

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House today voted to extend unemployment benefits an additional 26 weeks in hard-hit states like Michigan -- 13 weeks for states that aren't suffering as badly.

An amendment extending the benefits passed by a vote of 256 to 166.

The jobless extension was one of three amendments voted on by the House to a spending bill left over from last year.

[...]

"We're hurting here in Michigan big time," said retired school teacher Conrad Keydel of Detroit, who supports the benefits extension.

"People who have been laid off have no where to turn. There aren't jobs. So Michigan needs this," he added.

Michigan's six House Democrats voted in favor of the amendment with the added jobless benefits. Three of its nine Republicans voted for the amendment as well: Joe Knollenberg of Bloomfield Hills, Fred Upton of St. Joseph and Candice Miller of Harrison Township.

Voting against the amendment that included the jobless benefits were Pete Hoekstra of Holland, Mike Rogers of Brighton, Vern Ehlers of Grand Rapids, Tim Walberg of Tipton, Thad McCotter of Livonia and Dave Camp of Midland.

[...]

The Bush White House issued a statement today saying the president would veto the proposals in the House going beyond Iraq funding.

U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, who voted in favor of extra jobless benefits, said, "I think it's time for the minority (House Republicans) and the president get out of the offices they reside in and get into the shoes of typical American families... Opposition to extension of unemployment compensation is unconscionable."

Currently, workers who've lost their jobs get 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Under the House-passed provision, the jobless would get an additional 13 weeks of benefits, behind the 26.

But states such as Michigan, with unemployment rates above 6 percent would get 26 additional weeks -- bringing the total to 52.

Under the proposal, unemployed workers who've exhausted their currently available 26 weeks of benefits within the past 18 months (November 2006) could apply for extended benefits, Levin's office said.

The proposal would cost about $11.7 billion to provide extended benefits for an estimated 3.8 million jobless workers and be paid from the federal unemployment trust funds.

The provision extending jobless benefits also would pay for four-year of public college education for veterans who served 36 months on active duty.

(Emphasis added.)

So... which part did Congressman Walberg disagree with? The part where Michigan's economy was hurting and there are no jobs? The part where the unemployed need some extra help to survive because there are no jobs? Or the part where we're going to pay for college for young men and women who have given everything they have for their country?

Congressman Walberg, which part did you disagree with?

Labels: 110th Congress, Economy, Issues, Tim Walberg, Unemployment, Veterans, Walberg Voting Record