Carson Votes to Extend Unemployment Benefits

Statement

Congressman André Carson released the following statement regarding today's vote in the House to extend unemployment insurance benefits to millions of American families:

"Thousands of Hoosiers saw their economic lifeline severed because of partisan posturing by Republicans in the Senate. Today we were able to stop hurting these families and our economy by voting to extend unemployment benefits after weeks of delay. Extending these benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy. Without this income, struggling families are forced to stop spending on some of their most basic needs, and this pullback on consumer spending hurts our economy's positive momentum.

"A recent report from the nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute concluded that expanded unemployment benefits have added 1.15 million American jobs since 2007 by promoting spending resulting in a 1.7 percent boost in GDP.

"Now we must continue down the path of recovery by passing legislation like the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act that was approved on Wednesday. This bipartisan legislation is one of the many efforts by this Congress that will create jobs for Americans and level the playing field for U.S. companies."

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