Carte Goodwin Clears Path for Senate to Extend Unemployment Benefits

AP

Democrats have a chance to extend unemployment benefits, now that West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin has appointed his former aide, Carte Goodwin, to replace the late Sen. Robert Byrd. The party cannot expect Goodwin to support climate change legislation that puts a price on carbon, however.

Manchin announced Friday afternoon that Goodwin, 36, will be sworn in as the youngest senator in office to fill the seat left vacant by Byrd, who was the oldest senator in office when he died last month at the age of 92.

Goodwin confirmed that he will not run to continue representing the state in the special election expected to take place this November. Manchin has said he is interested in running. Goodwin did, however, say he is ready to make the most of his short term.

"I'm anxious to roll my sleeves up," he said.

His vote will prove critical in the first hour of his service in the Senate, said Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the senior senator from West Virginia. Goodwin will be sworn in on Tuesday afternoon, and minutes later, the Senate intends to vote on extending unemployment benefits, a proposal that has so far been blocked by a Republican filibuster.

"Carte Goodwin will make the 60th vote in what is a very necessary piece of legislation," Rockefeller said. "We will take up and pass unemployment legislation."

Goodwin said, however, he cannot support his party's interest in passing a comprehensive energy bill that includes a cap and trade system.

"With regard to cap and trade, from what I've seen of the Waxman-Markey bill," Goodwin said, referencing the cap and trade bill passed in the House, "they simply are not right for West Virginia."

He said he would be more in favor of the legislation Rockefeller, is championing, which Goodwin said "recognizes the practical effect of coal."

"I will not support any piece of legislation that threatens any West Virginia job," Goodwin said, adding that it's obvious "how strongly West Virginians feel on the issue" of energy legislation.

[Scarlett60]

I just wish that people would understand this is not an issue of whether we want to work or not want to work. Some of you think we are just "lazing around in the sun", sipping drinks with little paper umbrellas by our inflatable pools. News flash: WE WANT TO WORK. I do not like sitting at home, worrying about what is going to happen if I can't get work soon. I am EXTREMELY marketable. Yet, I can't get ANYONE to call me back. I know there are a select few who are taking advantage, but it is just unfair to lump us all into one box. Just once I would like to hear someone say "I know alot of you are trying, and we are just aiming these comments to those who aren't".

[Perish1]

I heard that the republicans were not supporting the increase because a promise had been made that stopped any new spending that wasn't offset by cuts elsewhere. Since they seem to be holding tight, what efforts have the democrats made to cut spending in other areas in order to provide these much needed benefits? Any one? Any thing? Anybody? (chirp chirp)

[lookingforwork]

Unemployment benefits have NEVER... I repeat.. NEVER have been prepaid, even when George W Bush was in office. This is just a cover for most of the Republican Senators' goal of obstructing any bill that could improve the economy. They're trying to make things as bad as they can for the Obama administration, even at the cost of the plight of the American people (Republicans AND Democrats). It's shameful!

[RobAla]

Four months until November.

[bc-1948]

Some of the above comments are from people that obviously don't have a clue what it would be like to be unemployed. People, jobs are not there - we had an abnormal housing boom that allowed a lot of additional employment - but many of those jobs are never coming back. I'm lucky to be a CPA owning a small business; however, health care costs were becoming more than even we could afford. The health care bill is a good first step in bring this under control. Read the newspaper headlines today and you'll see that for the first time, because of the language in the bill, there has been a Medicare fraud ring shut down.

You can draw money out of your retirement without penalty - and to ptnjhobson - this money was never going to be "tax-free." It was only "tax-deferred."

[Scarlett60]

Hello bc-1948. Thank you so much for being one of the few people who are still employed that DO understand there are no jobs out there. I live in California, and for 30 years handled injury claims for insurance companies. I have a BS in Business Management, and have been nominated for inclusion into Cambridge Who's Who. Yet I can't even find TEMP jobs right now. I was laid off a brokerage job in May of 2007. Since then, I have been able to work some temporary positions in administrative and some claims jobs. However, the money was not even half what I was used to making. Now, I haven't even had a temp offering since September 2009. My husband hasn't been able to find a Customer Service position since October 2008. It has never been like this for us in the entire 50 years we have been here. It's crazy.

Anyway, thank you for understanding that it is hard out there. Especially for those of us who WANT to work, can can't.

[tmr9928]

It's very sad and hurtful to read some of the comments on here. First of all, I am a 48 year old female who worked since I was 16 years old. I pay my taxes like everyone else. My hard earned money was taxed just like yours. I was one of the unfortunate to lose my job and had to go on unemployment. I was very thankful it was there to help me but when I read the following:

"The problem I see is that many people in bad shape have made no attempt to ever save anything in case of an emergency. I feel bad for those people and can only hope they can pull themselves up and prepare for the worse and never be in that position ever again"

Here's a newsflash for you.....Many people out there are not as fortunate as you must be. My husband and I both worked full time jobs and have children to support. We made enough money to pay our bills, feed and clothe our family and a little left over for the kids to enjoy a night out. We didn't have the "extra" cash to put aside for an emergency. So for you to say that "many American's didn't make an attempt" is either a poor choice of words or ignorance on your part.

I'm not writing this to start any sort of problems on here but I felt I had to defend myself.

[rightbehind]

I understand where your coming from. When I was young I absolutely hated paying taxes. After working all year claiming no deductions I would still owe. It wasn't until later in life that I realised when hard times come The government was there for me to fall back on. I had a family member that passed away and social security was there for the family to make up for some of the lost income. I don't mind paying taxes and like yourself have been paying them for a long time. I started working when I was 16 myself. The problem we have today is there are people out there that feed on desperation. They don't like reason and they don't like fair. They are self righteous and are quick to remind everybody about how hard they have worked for theirs. 98% of them had it passed on to them. There is no need to defend yourself. I hope all works out for you and your family.

[Scarlett60]

Just to add a little more information, my husband and I did, in fact, have a savings. However, unemployment pays very little. We went from an income of $5500 clear a month, to $2300 a month. The bills don't go down, groceries don't become cheaper just because you are unemployed. So, guess where the savings goes? keeping the lights on, keeping a roof over our head, paying the car insurance, the utilities, the groceries, etc. We had a credit rating of 718 in May of 2007, have a guess what it is now! anyway, those who rail against us "because we don't have a savings to survive on" just remember, that savings doesn't last when you can't replenish it.

[formrusmcsgt]

by 1renegade July 16, 2010 7:55 PM EDT
Anyone that has an ARM, Interest only, variable rate, or any other type of non-fixed rate mortgage most of the time was buying more house than they could afford.
---

So true. If you can't qualify on a conventional, you can't afford it.

[fedupwcrap78]

there is no work out there. just be thankful you have a job.

[formrusmcsgt]

"...and minutes later, the Senate intends to vote on extending unemployment benefits, a proposal that has so far been blocked by a Republican filibuster."
---
I don't find much common ground with repubs these days but on this, they're correct.

If you've been on the dole for a year and haven't found something, you're not looking or too proud to take what's available.

Either way, off the dole.

[gooberette22]

Maybe you don't want it but I do so be careful in your use of we. And besides, I don't hear a bunch of news how China or North Korea has problems with illegals and immigration... you are more than willing to try their government for a change of pace.

[gooberette22]

Sorry, the above reply is in response to Mortar_29

[wickliffead]

Republicans and democrats both need to put WE THE PEOPLE first, instead of just THEY THE RICH. Give aways to wall street is called good old FREE market at work. Give aways to the ordinary citizen they call socialism? Seems like a scam to me. The only ones really having a TEA PARTY is the RICH!!!

[tnjhobson]

I am married and my husband is on unemployment, he looks for a job every week, he gets paid roughly half of what he made while he was employed. We are now loosing our house due to the ARM and unemployment. What are we all to do we can not be the only family. Thank You EX PRESIDENT BUSH FOR ALL YOUR HELP IN RUINING OUR FAMILY'S WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. GO SET IN YOU MANSION AND ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!

[1renegade]

Anyone that has an ARM, Interest only, variable rate, or any other type of non-fixed rate mortgage most of the time was buying more house than they could afford. You state your husband looks for a job every week? does that mean he only has to confirm one job application per week?? Seems like your husband would be beating down as many doors as possible everyday. How can you blame Bush for everything when you have just given an example of what Frank and Dodd started with the housing market.
I do hope you weather the storm and do hope it will make you much wiser.

[elliesamericana]

She can blame bush because it was the 8 years of his Administration's incompetence that has caused all our current economic problems. Respectfully, retired US Army Medical Officer