Senator Coons Votes to Preserve Assistance for Delaware Jobseekers

Press Release

Extension of federal unemployment benefits clears procedural hurdle by vote of 60-37

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) voted on Tuesday for legislation to provide relief for states and struggling families by extending federal unemployment insurance benefits for three months. The Senator is a cosponsor of both the three-month extension advanced on Tuesday and a version of the legislation that would extend funding for a full year.

"Unemployment insurance helps to prevent a setback from becoming a catastrophe," Senator Coons said. "For Delawareans who have lost a job in the economic downturn, unemployment insurance allows them to keep their head above water, and to continue to put food on the table, to support their families, to pay the rent, and to make car or mortgage payments. Preserving these benefits is the right thing to do for our economy, our businesses, and our middle class, and I am glad that the Senate today advanced a three-month extension of the program. Congress needs to renew its commitment to restoring our economy by investing again in jobs and the American workforce. Washington cannot turn its back on those who are still looking for work. I urge my colleagues to approve this extension as soon as possible so we can continue to help jobseekers stay on their feet."

The unemployment insurance system is a partnership between the federal government and state governments that provides a temporary weekly benefit to qualified workers who have lost their jobs and are seeking employment. The amount of that benefit is based in part on a worker's past earnings.

Thirty-six hundred Delawareans lost their federal unemployment benefits on December 28th and another 4,800 are expected to lose them over the next six months if Congress does not pass an extension of the program.

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