Congressman Scott Votes to Extend Unemployment Benefits and Create New Veteran Benefits

Press Release

Today, Congressman David Scott voted to extend unemployment benefits and create new education benefits for our nation's veterans. The bill provides up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. The new GI bill restores full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II.

"Thousands of Georgians are struggling to find a job," Congressman Scott said. "I just held a jobs fair that was attended by nearly 10,000 job seekers. I found that many of the folks who are without a job are skilled and educated. They deserve an extension of unemployment benefits to help keep their families above water while they continue searching for work. I ask that President Bush not veto relief to Georgia families."

For four consecutive months, the U.S. economy has lost jobs. There are 800,000 additional Americans looking for work than a year ago. The number of long-term unemployed - 1.35 million workers - is higher now than when Congress last extended unemployment benefits in 2002.

"Our veterans are the ones who put their lives at risk on our behalf," Congressman Scott said. "The very least we can do is make sure that they have the opportunity to have a first-class education. The first two years of the new GI bill would cost what we spend in two days in Iraq. It is time that we start taking care of America like we are taking care of Iraq. I am proud of our men and women in uniform and commit my office resources to help fight for full VA and other benefits for eligible veterans and retirees."

Under the new GI bill, service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served 3 years on active duty, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school. Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3 months of active duty since September 11, 2001, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.

The two measures were included in an emergency spending bill, which must now be approved by the Senate.

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