Temporary Extension of Agricultural Programs

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, as a representative of the San Joaquin Valley of California, I know our economic recovery has been uneven at best. Unemployment remains unacceptably high in areas like my district.

Those on unemployment are not socking taxpayer dollars away for a rainy day. Today already is their rainy day. Their benefits go back into our economy immediately for basic needs, like food and rent, while they look for work.

After 27 years at an insurance company, Jacqueline of Atwater, California, was let go last May. Since then the 53-year-old has struggled to find work.

Another constituent of mine, Luis in Fresno, lost his unemployment insurance at the end of December. This father wrote:

If I don't find a job in the next couple of weeks, then I will not be able to pay my rent or pay for food for my family.

With all the talk about restoring certainty to our economy, we cannot forget that American families drive this economy.

Now is not the time to take money out of their pockets as they are also struggling to recover. Let's restore unemployment with a bipartisan effort.

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