Title: Long-term unemployment benefits expire: 6 things to know - Los Angeles Times
Headings: Long-term unemployment benefits expire: 6 things to know
Long-term unemployment benefits expire: 6 things to know
Who lost benefits?
Why the change?
Which states will be hit hardest?
Why hasn’t Congress extended unemployment insurance again?
What are the arguments for allowing benefits to expire?
What are the arguments for extending the program again?
Business
David Lauter

Content: He called on members of Congress to make the temporary extension of benefits “their first order of business” when they go back into session next year. Obama said that if lawmakers approve it, he would sign the proposal “right away.” Advertisement
The prospects for getting the bill through the Republican-controlled House, however, appear dim. What are the arguments for allowing benefits to expire? Advertisement
Republicans have advanced three arguments: They said that the extension was always supposed to be temporary and now that nationwide unemployment has dropped to 7%, it’s time to go back to the basic of up to 26 weeks of coverage. Advertisement
Extending benefits for an additional year would cost roughly $25 billion, they noted, which would add to the federal deficit. Some Republicans also argue that extended unemployment benefits provide a crutch that discourages people from looking for work. Advertisement
What are the arguments for extending the program again? Democrats and a few Republicans noted that even though the overall unemployment rate has dropped, the problems faced by the long-term unemployed remain grim.