Legislative Update by Congressman Mike Ross

A Victory for the Unemployed
 
February 6, 2004
 
This week in Congress, my colleagues and I passed legislation that will extend federal unemployment benefits to the 8.4 million Americans -- including 128,000 Arkansans -- who are currently out of work. 

The passage of these unemployment benefits is a huge victory for the millions of Americans who are unemployed. Before the extension of these benefits takes effect, the Senate must pass the legislation, and the President must sign the bill into law. And, I hope the Senate and the President will recognize the dire need to pass this legislation. Because at the very least, those who are looking for work deserve to have the peace of mind of knowing they can pay their utility bills, and put food on their family's table.  

The need to extend unemployment benefits is great.  The federal unemployment program expired at the end of last year, denying assistance to approximately 90,000 people nationwide each week since December 21! Even worse, the federal unemployment program expired over the holidays, leaving those out of work who ran out of state unemployment benefits without any federal help.  

As your United States Representative, I will continue to fight for the passage of legislation that will stimulate our economy, which will in turn create new jobs. But our economy won't improve if we don't restore fiscal responsibility to our government. Our government simply cannot continue to spend money we don't have.  There is no magic secret -- if a pressing issue requires us to increase our spending  - such as the added expense of Homeland Security  - our government must use good fiscal judgment, and make cuts to other areas. 


Next                                                        Previous
Radio Address            Radio Address List            Radio Address