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Senate Democratic and Republicans leaders, however, failed to agree on a measure that might quickly pass in the days before Christmas and the chamber instead advanced a two-month extension. In private talks, Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada objected to numerous House provisions, including cuts affecting federal workers. Reid also publicly came out Tuesday against the GOP effort to block illegal immigrants from getting refundable child tax credits. A Treasury Department study last year found that illegal immigrants were paid $4.2 billion in such refunds claimed on their 2010 tax returns, but efforts to stop the practice have caused an eruption in the Democratic-leaning Hispanic community. Reid signaled he'll resist the idea, though his opposition is not the last word on the matter. "I just think the child tax credit is working just fine and there's no need to punish children," Reid said. Talks Wednesday revealed a continuing impasse over whether to keep the maximum jobless benefit at 99 weeks in states with the highest unemployment rates. Lower jobless rates already mean that the maximum benefit is dropping to 79 weeks. Republicans are seeking to cut 20 additional weeks of benefits from the program, effectively making the maximum benefit 59 weeks. Democrats oppose the move and signaled they'll adopt a hard line as well against GOP proposals to require jobless people to enroll in GED classes to qualify for benefits or permit states to require them to pass drug tests. Democrats said that many jobless people are older workers with established skills and that there are long waiting lists for GED classes. On drug testing for jobless benefits, Republicans said it's simply unfair for taxpayers to provide money to people with drug habits
-- and who would fail the drug tests required for many new hires. "It is time to stop subsidizing drug use through federal benefits," said Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas. Democrats said most states disqualify people fired for drug use from obtaining jobless benefits anyway. Democrats did signal they'll go along with a proposal tightening requirements for people receiving jobless benefits to look for work but revealed no details.
[Associated
Press;
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