Sen. Franken Cosponsors Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits Program for One Year
Yesterday, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) along with 20 of his Senate colleagues introduced the Unemployment Insurance Stabilization Act (S. 3981) that would extend the federal unemployment benefits program through the end of 2011. Without action, these benefits for unemployed workers in many states will begin to expire on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, and benefits for unemployed Minnesotans will begin to expire at the beginning of March 2011.
"While our economy is showing signs of recovery, people all over Minnesota are still struggling to find work, to put food on the table, and to keep their families warm this winter," said Sen. Franken. "Unemployment benefits will never replace a steady paycheck, but it's important that we continue to provide them so Minnesotans can continue to provide for their families while they look for work."
Recently, Sen. Franken and 28 of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) requesting reauthorization of federal unemployment benefits through the end of 2011. You can read the full text of the letter here.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, if Congress fails to take action, two million workers will lose their unemployment benefits this December. Each month after that, more than one million more would fall off the rolls. By April 2011, six million workers would be without benefits.
