House Passes Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits for 3.8 Million Americans
Press Release
HOUSE PASSES BILL TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR 3.8 MILLION AMERICANS
U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) joined a majority of her colleagues in the House today to vote to extend unemployment benefits for 3.8 million unemployed Americans. The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act, which passed the House by a vote of 274 to 137, would immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to jobless workers in every state. The measure was brought to the House floor yesterday under an accelerated process requiring two-thirds majority to pass the bill, but the House Republicans defeated the legislation.
"Millions of hard-working Americans have lost their jobs because of the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration. Our bill will provide relief to millions of unemployed Americans who need help supporting their families and making ends meet during the current economic slowdown," said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). "I urge the Senate to follow the House in passing this bill and for the President to sign this bill into law to help the people who are hurting the most. This is the right thing to do for our workers, and it is the right things to do for our economy."
Americans across the country are facing rising costs of livingand we have just seen the largest monthly increase in unemployment in 20 years. For the fifth straight month, the economy lost jobs and unemployment rose from 5.0% in April to 5.5% in May. The economy has lost nearly 325,000 jobs this year and 8.5 million Americans are unemployed.
The legislation approved in the House today would benefit 3.8 million unemployed Americans -- providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. In states with higher levels of unemployment (six percent or higher), an additional 13 weeks would be available, for a total of 26 weeks of extended benefits. The legislation will be paid for through the federal unemployment trust funds, which have more than enough reserves to cover the cost.
While extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy, the Bush Administration opposed the legislation considered in the House today.
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