National Coalition for Literacy

—Campaign for a Fair Unemployment Insurance Extension

Congress passed the $143B payroll tax holiday compromise today, (293-132 in the House; 60-36 in the Senate), extending a tax cut for millions of Americans and jobless benefits through the end of the year.

The bill did not include education requirements which would have denied unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to any worker who lacks a high school diploma or its equivalent and is not enrolled in classes to earn one—regardless of how long the person worked or whether he or she has access to adult education.…

—Will It Include an Education Requirement?

Last night, Tuesday, February 14, Congressional leaders reached a tentative agreement to extend the payroll tax cut, including jobless benefits and reimbursement for doctors who accept Medicare. As a part of the tentative deal, Hill and media sources are reporting that the education requirement is off the table. However, the deal is not final and although leaders are pushing to finalize the year-long extension by this Friday, anything is subject to change.

According to the New York Times, “Democrats, elated after winning the Republican…

—Where Do You Stand?

Wednesday, February 1, members of the House-Senate Conference Committee met to further discuss issues and work out their differences surrounding the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, H.R. 3765. According to Roll Call, a newspaper which covers Capitol Hill, legislators “…still find themselves on shaky ground after their second meeting, with broad agreement on where to go but little agreement on how to get there.”

Legislators discussed the education requirement at great length, which was proposed by House Republicans as part of an earlier…

Congress will soon continue its debate on the extension of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits—but it may include a provision that’s alarming Americans nationwide.

House Republicans are expected to once again push for a condition that would “…deny UI benefits to any worker who lacks a high school diploma or GED and is not enrolled in classes to get one or the other—regardless of how long the person worked or whether he or she has access to adult education,” according to a recent report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).…