Bill Would Provide Up to 13 Weeks of Extended Unemployment Benefits
Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of legislation to immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act, passed the House with a 274 - 137 vote.
"American families are struggling with skyrocketing gas and food costs," said Rep. Baca. "At the same time our nation has suffered the biggest one-month jump in unemployment in more than two decades. Today's legislation provides the necessary relief our struggling families need to stay afloat in this dismal economy."
Yesterday, H.R. 5749 came up for a vote on the suspension calendar, when House rules require legislation to receive support from two-thirds of the House to pass. Unfortunately, 144 Republicans voted against the legislation and the bill did not pass, forcing the House to reconsider the bill under normal rules today - under which it passed.
"President Bush's disastrous policies have put our economy in its current state," added Rep. Baca. "Yet as yesterday's vote shows, too many of my Republican colleagues continue to stand with the President and turn their backs on America's working families. The Democratic Congress will continue to fight to turn our economy around and support those hard-working Americans that need help."
H.R. 5749 extends unemployment benefits in every state in the nation for 13 weeks to those workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. In addition, in states with unemployment rates of six percent or higher, an additional 13 weeks would be available, for a total of 26 weeks of extended benefits. The unemployment relief contained in H.R. 5749 would run through March 2009, and is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to benefit 3.8 million Americans.
Last month, the national unemployment rate surged to 5.5 %, its highest level in nearly four years. The unemployment rate is now a full percentage point higher than it was a year ago at this time. Extending unemployment benefits is considered one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy. Money given out in benefits is usually quickly spent and reinvested back into the economy. In fact, according to many leading economists, every $1 spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.64 in new economic demand.
"In these difficult times, it is critical Congress does all it can to get our economy moving in the right direction," concluded Rep. Baca. "I am proud to support this responsible legislation, which will provide assistance to those struggling Americans who need it most and also help to promote spending and economic growth in our Inland communities."