Congresswoman Maxine Waters: Minorities Continue To Face Unemployment Crisis

Press Release

Congresswoman Waters recently led efforts to secure assistance for communities that are still reeling from the effects of the recession. She led a group of Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) lawmakers on the Financial Services Committee in securing $4 billion within the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 for unemployed homeowners and devastated communities dealing with the foreclosure crisis.

The Congresswoman also voted for the House Jobs on Main Street Act in December, which provides $75 billion for highways and transit, school renovation, hiring teachers, police, and firefighters, small businesses, and job training. It also extends emergency unemployment benefits, COBRA and Medicaid health benefits, and cuts taxes by making the Child Tax Credit available to all low-income families.

"Having been a leading advocate in securing emergency funding for job creation and unemployment benefits, I realize that we must also focus on long-term strategies to put all Americans back to work, particularly in the African American and Hispanic communities," said Congresswoman Waters. "Our country's economic recovery won't be as strong or complete if some communities continue to suffer from long-term unemployment."

She vowed, "I am going to redouble my efforts in Congress to make sure that job-creation solutions benefit all Americans."

Source