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| Woolsey Backs Extension of Unemployment Insurance, Says More Needs To Be Done | | June 12, 2008 | |
| Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) today joined a majority in the House in passing legislation to extend unemployment insurance for millions of American workers. Just a day after House Republicans blocked the legislation, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act passed by a veto proof margin of 274-137.
“Across our country families are struggling to stay afloat in the face of record gas prices and sky rocketing food prices,” Woolsey said. “And for millions of Americans just keeping pace has become almost impossible as more and more workers lose their jobs. People are hurting, and we need to get this legislation signed into law as quickly as possible.”
As unemployment rates continue to rise, the legislation provides an additional 13 weeks of extended benefits to workers in every state, as well as an additional 13 weeks (for a total of 26 weeks of extended benefits) to workers in states such as California with unemployment rates over 6%. Currently, regardless of state, workers are limited to 26 weeks of unemployment insurance.
The legislation comes as families across the country face rising costs of living, and on the heels of news that May saw the largest monthly increase in unemployment in 20 years, with 5.5% of workers looking for jobs. Overall the economy has lost nearly 325,000 jobs this year and currently 8.5 million Americans are unemployed. The proposed extension will be paid for through the federal unemployment trust funds, which have more than enough reserves to cover the increased benefits.
While supporting today’s legislation, Woolsey is urging passage of a comprehensive ‘second stimulus’ package to bolster the sagging economy. In particular Woolsey has called for not only an extension of unemployment insurance, but increased funding for food stamps, and greater investment in much needed infrastructure projects nationwide. Woolsey has also challenged her colleagues on current funding levels for the occupation of Iraq, arguing that any plan to rein in spending and invest in the US economy must start by ending the occupation of Iraq, which is currently costing taxpayers $11 billion a month.
“A comprehensive second stimulus package would help bolster our economy and put more Americans back to work,” Woolsey said. “Unfortunately, the same Republicans who are telling us that we can’t afford it are the same people who are voting in lock step to provide hundreds of billions of dollars for our occupation of Iraq. It’s time for them to get their priorities in order and help those who are struggling here at home.” |
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