Two amendments to the unemployment provisions are currently being discussed on the Senate floor.
Senate Democrats (via Senator Carper) have proposed:
-cutting the FPUC to $300
-extending all unemployment programs through Oct 4.
-Tax forgiveness on up to $10,200 of unemployment payments (about $1200-2400 depending on your tax bracket).
Senator Portman co-sponsored by many Republicans proposed:
-cutting the FPUC to $300
-ending all unemployment programs July 18
-zero tax relief
Senator Manchin (D-WV) is apparently on the fence about which to support. Call him immediately and tell him to vote for the Carper amendment. Call your Republican Senators and tell them to vote no on the Portman amendment. With all Republicans and just one Democrat the Portman amendment will pass. This vote will happen today. Call them immediately. Handles.ExtendPUA.org
To be clear, we support the Carper amendment because it is the better option, but the cut to the FPUC is appalling and Democrats should be stronger in these negotiations.
Evening update:
Because of Manchin's theatrics there has been a compromise on the Senate Democrats amendment. The new amendment:
-cuts the FPUC to $300
-extends all unemployment programs through Sept. 6th (the Senate is still on recess at this point so we are still likely to see a lapse in benefits)
-implements tax forgiveness on up to $10,200 of unemployment payments ($1200-2400 depending on your tax bracket)
This compromise is disappointing to say the least.