The bill, which has already passed the U.S. Senate, provides for 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to workers in all states who have exhausted their regular unemployment compensation.  However, it does not include retroactive benefits for almost 1 million jobless workers whose benefits expired last year. 

Last November, Democrats, including Snyder, Berry, and Ross attempted to extend unemployment benefits for 800,000 jobless Americans so that they would not be cut off from benefits just days after Christmas.  When the Republican-controlled house refused to extend unemployment compensation before adjourning in November, it forced a severance in benefits for an estimated 5,400 Arkansans on December 28, 2002.   

The bill passed today will extend benefits for those affected December 28, but does not address workers whose additional 13 weeks of unemployment expired before that date.  An estimated 10,200 Arkansans, who have exhausted their 13-week extension of benefits, remained unemployed at the end of December.  

“I hoped that the Democratic proposal, which would have provided 13 additional weeks of benefits to those million Americans who exhausted their benefits last year, would be passed today,” Snyder said.  “However, I am pleased that the House did pass legislation that will benefit those Arkansans facing the loss of their unemployment benefits on and after December 28.”

"It’s time for Congress to pass legislation that will stimulate the economy and offer some much needed relief to hundreds of thousands of hard working Americans who are having a hard time finding a job.  Considering the huge tax cut that President Bush wants to offer to the richest people in the country, this bill is helpful, but clearly doesn’t go far enough," Berry said.

“Many people in our district find themselves unemployed for the first time in their lives,” Ross said. “And unfortunately many have nowhere to turn.  This is the kind of legislation we need to focus on right now - providing benefits to those who find themselves unemployed will directly stimulate our economy.  They will use this money to buy groceries and pay bills, it helps to get things moving again.  We need to do our best in Congress to help create more jobs and revitalize our economy, and helping those who are unable to find work is a large part of that."