(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressman Jim Langevin joined a bipartisan majority today in voting for H.R. 6867, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. The vote comes on the same day a new report indicates that 159,000 jobs were lost in September – the biggest decline since March of 2003. The bill passed by a vote of 368 to 28.

“The economic downturn is hurting every Rhode Island family,” said Langevin. “It is imperative that we provide relief to workers who are struggling. I am hopeful this legislation will provide some assistance.”

H.R. 6867 would provide an additional seven weeks of extended unemployment benefits for workers across the country who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation. In Rhode Island and other states with unemployment rates above 6 percent, workers will receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits on top of that.  Earlier this year, Langevin voted to help 3.5 million Americans looking for jobs -- providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits.

The $6 billion in benefits would be paid from the Federal unemployment trust fund, which has more than enough reserves to cover the cost.

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