Statement on Unemployment Compensation Extension

Statement on Unemployment Compensation Extension
by Rep. Richard Neal

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this "day late and dollar short" Republican bill.

I fear that a lot of desperate families back in Springfield, North Hampton, and Milford, Massachusetts, are watching this debate today with confusion and anxiety. Well over 2,000 families of displaced workers in my district lost their unemployment compensation on December 28th. Those desperate families, who thought losing their job in an economic slump was plenty to deal with, encountered even more pain with the loss of their financial life-line during the holidays.

Almost a million families around the country today, who are struggling to get back into the workplace, will not see their benefits will resume if this bill is enacted.

In a successful effort to provide fewer benefits to fewer workers, the leaders of this House scuttled any chances for meaningful relief back in December when we knew this crisis was upon us.

What we are asking for in our substitute is not unusual. Congress has previously acted to temporarily extend unemployment benefits during periods of economic recession or high unemployment. And, unfortunately, the nation reached an eight-year high for unemployment in November, 2002.

While the Majority has recently decided that extending these benefits is the right thing to do, this bill is literally too little and too late. I urge my colleagues to support the substitute providing more financial security to more displaced workers. Every penny we provide to the families of laid-off workers goes right back into the economy. Support this economic stimulus proposal.