House to Vote on UI/COBRA, TANF Extension.

In the next few days, the House is expected to vote on the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act (HR 4213), which is likely to include an extension through the end of 2010 of key Unemployment Insurance (UI) and COBRA health benefits for unemployed workers, an extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) emergency fund through September 2011, and additional funding for summer youth employment programs.

Unfortunately, the odds of passing this legislation – which may represent our last real chance to fund these critical job training and supportive services programs in 2010 – are looking increasingly shaky.  There are reliable reports that a number of House Democrats are expressing concerns about the overall cost of the bill, which would further add to the federal deficit.  This means that programs that matter to the workforce development field that are currently in the bill could be cut back or eliminated to cut costs, particularly if Members of Congress are not aware that these programs are a priority for their constituents.  And, even if those provisions stay in the bill, House Republicans have already announced intentions to target the TANF extension whenever the legislation reaches the floor.

If this bill is not passed, UI benefits will expire on June 2 and COBRA benefits on May 31, leaving millions of workers without essential income supports to cover rent, food and health insurance premiums while they continue to look for employment. The TANF emergency fund, expected to create 185,000 temporary jobs by the end of September, will expire on September 30th. And the summer jobs program, which was responsible for putting over 300,000 youth to work in 2009, won’t be funded in 2010.

The House was tentatively scheduled to begin work on the bill on Thursday, but this may be pushed back while House leaderships lines up votes. National Skills Coalition will continue to work to ensure critical investments in workforce education and training are included in any jobs bill and will provide updates as information becomes available. For additional information on these issues, click here.