Kaptur Statement on HR 5749, Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act
Press Release
Kaptur Statement on HR 5749, Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act
Congresswoman Kaptur joined House Democrats in throwing a lifeline to families who are struggling to keep their heads above water. The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their 26 weeks of benefits.
The need for action is underscored by the slowing economy. The U.S. has lost jobs for five straight months; unemployment rose to 5.5 percent in May.
In Ohio, 335,000 workers are unemployed. The unemployment rate in Ohio is 5.6 percent. In the Ninth District, the jobless rate is 7.6% in Ottawa County, 6.5% in Lucas County, 6.3% in Erie County and 6.2% in Lorain County.
Already buffeted by rising gasoline prices and a raft of home foreclosures, thousands of Ohio families find themselves in need of the safety net provided by unemployment benefits.
On a macro' level, unemployment benefits provide a stimulus for a beleaguered economy because the money is spent quickly on necessary items. Studies indicate that every $1 in unemployment benefits generates $1.64 in new economic demand.
Should the President veto the bill as he has threatened, Kaptur said, "To veto unemployment insurancebenefits that workers across our nation have earnedwould only reaffirm how out of touch this president is. He reminds me of Marie Antoinette who, when told her countrymen were hungry, said: Let them eat cake.' "
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