Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman John Tierney made the following statement after Republicans blocked legislation to extend unemployment benefits through February 28, 2011.  The bill would also have extended, through March 1, 2011, 100 percent federal funding to help state programs cover the costs of the additional unemployment benefits under current law. Without an extension, an estimated 60,000 unemployed workers in Massachusetts will lose benefits when they expire on November 30.

"It is deeply disappointing that Republicans continue to block vital support for our middle-class families," Congressman Tierney said. "It is particularly astounding that most of those opposing this relief are the same people who are promoting an extension of hundreds of billions of dollars of Bush tax cuts for those earning in the top one or two percent income level in this country. Unemployment benefits serve as a lifeline for many Americans seeking a new job and struggling to make ends meet during these challenging economic times. This legislation would have extended desperately needed unemployment benefits for tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents and provided a boost to our economy as we work toward long-term recovery."

Economist Mark Zandi estimates that every dollar spent to make the Bush income tax cuts permanent would generate only 32 cents of economic activity. Comparatively, every dollar spent on unemployment assistance generates $1.61 worth of economic activity; a dollar of spending on infrastructure yields $1.57; and a dollar in assistance to states to prevent layoffs of teachers or other public employees, yields $1.41. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and economists across the board, tax cuts for the wealthy are simply not a good way to stimulate the economy.

In addition, a new report from the Joint Economic Committee that assesses the impact unemployment benefits have on the economy, found unemployment benefits are one of the most powerful and effective tools we have for boosting growth and employment. The report stated that ending the federal unemployment benefits program now would drain the economy of $80 billion in purchasing power and result in the loss of over one million jobs over the next year.

Congressman Tierney has been steadfast in his commitment to passing a long-term extension of unemployment benefits, and the House has voted several times in favor of an extension in the face of consistent Republican opposition. In addition, as a senior member on the Committee on Education and Labor, Congressman Tierney has been asked to lead in drafting the upcoming reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which is the primary federal law governing how services and training are provided to workers.

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