Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says checks help families get by and stimulate local economy
 
The House has given final approval to an extension of unemployment benefits, sending the bill to President Obama who is expected to sign it immediately.  Previously the House had passed the extension twice, but it had failed in the Senate until last night.
 
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who voted for the bill, said the provision restores unemployment benefits that began expiring June 2.  In general, workers who stopped getting benefit checks will be able to file claims and receive the benefits retroactively.   Over 10,000 unemployed Maine workers stopped getting checks because the benefit wasn’t extended by Congress until today.
 
“This extension is long overdue and the delay has put many Maine families in a very difficult position,” Pingree said. “It’s been very frustrating that the Senate repeatedly blocked the extension of what is really a lifeline for people who have been struggling to find work.”
 
Pingree said the extended unemployment benefits not only help families get by, but also help stimulate the local economy.
 
“Unemployment checks get cashed and spent on necessities like groceries, gas and rent.  Most of the time that means the money is spent with local small businesses,” Pingree said.
 
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says that for every $1 of unemployment benefits paid in a community, $1.90 of economic activity is generated.
 
The bill passed today extends unemployment benefits through November.