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Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ninth District, IL
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Press Release 
DECEMBER 19, 2001
 
SCHAKOWSKY CALLS ON REPUBLICANS TO SUPPORT REAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS THAT HELPS UNEMPLOYED WOMEN WORKERS
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic women House members today held a news conference calling on the Republicans to support an economic stimulus package that can best meet women’s needs. Schakowsky, who led off today’s event, said, “Republicans are shamelessly pandering to the rich special interests while barely throwing a bone to the people who really need the help.”

Schakowsky pointed to the many letters she is receiving from her constituents as a cause for action, including one where the author wrote, “Now we see the executive branch proposing bail-outs for corporations while the people who are left jobless are ignored.”

“Women are the majority of workers in the industries hardest-hit by the recession, and they are adversely and disproportionately affected by the current state of our economy. Low-income women and single mothers are especially hurt by lay-offs, cutbacks and the loss of benefits.  In addition, two-thirds of all unemployed women do not qualify for unemployment insurance. They have a right to expect that their needs and their families’ needs would be addressed in an economic stimulus bill. Unfortunately, they would be wrong,” Schakowsky said.

“The Republican proposal does not guarantee increases in state unemployment benefits, many of which fall below poverty levels.  Without that guarantee, many unemployed women will be unable to make house payments, pay for health care for their children or pay utility bills as we enter the heating season. In fact, under the Republican bill, one million part-time and recently-employed are stranded. And, despite the rhetoric, the bill does very little to provide health benefits to laid-off women and their families,” she added.

Schakowsky concluded, “The Democrats are demanding an economic stimulus that would give assistance to unemployed families who will immediately use the money to help meet critical needs and reinvigorate the economy by spending.  The Republican bill throws money at companies already sitting on huge reserves in the hope that they might make investments.”

Statistics about women in the workplace:
 

  • Two-Thirds of unemployed women qualify for unemployment insurance;
  • Over half of retail sales workers, two-thirds of restaurant and kitchen workers, and over three-quarters of flight attendants are women;
  • Seventy percent of part-time workers are women;
  • Single mothers are 40 percent more likely to be unemployed than other workers; and 
  • 60 percent of minimum wage workers are women.


Organizations opposing Republican economic stimulus proposal:
 

  • The National Partnership for Women and Families. 
  • The National Women’s Law Center. 
  • The American Association of University Women. 
  • The National Organization for Women.
 
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