US News

Obama lobs jobs grenade

WASHINGTON — President Obama and congressional Republicans went to war yesterday over extending unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans.

“It’s time to stop holding workers laid off in this recession hostage to Washington politics,” Obama said. “It’s time to do what’s right, not for the next election, but for the middle class.”

Obama’s hot rhetoric in the Rose Garden sought to divert voters’ anger over the sputtering economy to Senate Republicans, who don’t want the government to borrow $34 billion for another extension of benefits.

Republicans support extending jobless benefits only if the bill is paid for, which goes hand in hand with their argument that runaway government debt is undermining an economic recovery.

The GOP says that unused stimulus money could be used to fund the benefits extension or that spending could be cut so the deficit won’t be increased. Some also believe the lengthy period of benefits can discourage people from job hunting.

“What the president isn’t telling the American people is that many of us in the Senate are fighting to make sure our children and grandchildren aren’t buried under a mountain of debt,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

“If we are going to extend unemployment benefits, then let’s do it without adding to our record debt.”

The president is under intense pressure to lower the 9.4 percent unemployment rate or face likely Democrat losses in the November elections.

Flanked by three unemployed workers on the steps of the Rose Garden, Obama painted Republicans as heartless bean counters who think unemployment checks discourage people from seeking work.

“That attitude, I think, reflects a lack of faith in the American people,” Obama said. “These are honest, decent, hardworking folks who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own.”

He said unemployed people he talks to are “not looking for a handout. They desperately want to work. Just right now, they can’t find a job.”

The benefits extension is expected to pass as soon as today after Democrats gain a key vote with the swearing-in of West Virginia Democrat Carte Goodwin, who will fill the vacancy left by the death of Sen. Robert Byrd.

Lawmakers have battled over the benefits package for weeks.

Two Republicans — Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine — also are expected to vote with the Democrats.

The previous extension expired in May, leaving about 2.5 million people without unemployment payments.