Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010

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Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong support for the passage of H.R. 5618, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits have expired as of June 1st, leaving millions of Americans without the financial lifeline they rely upon. Each week that Congress fails to pass this extension, another 200,000 Americans lose their benefits.

These are not people freeloading off the government. They had jobs, and the years that they worked are reflected in the weeks of benefits they receive. They are also required to look for work in order to receive benefits. With a 9.9% unemployment rate, job prospects remain dismal for the unemployed. With hundreds of applicants for each opening, some hiring managers have even gone so far to exclude the unemployed from applying within their job advertisements.

Without this extension hundreds of thousands of Americans will fall into poverty. Many more will have to make the excruciating choice between basic needs for their family; choices such as going without food or medicine in order to pay the rent or mortgage.

Economists have pointed to the economic value of unemployment insurance benefits. These are dollars that are going back into the market, raising consumption and creating jobs. If we allow millions of Americans to slip into economic peril, it will only serve to hurt the economy and stall the recovery.

This is economically important and ethically important, and I fully support the immediate passage of the restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits.

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