Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3548, the ``Unemployment Compensation Extension Act.'' This bill will provide much-needed relief to the millions of unemployed American workers who are struggling to find jobs today. With the adoption of this bill, Congress will provide up to 13 additional weeks of desperately needed unemployment benefits to workers who are about to run out of unemployment benefits, particularly focusing on those people who live in states where unemployment rates are highest.

California has the 4th highest unemployment rate in the Nation and in terms of my district the numbers are staggering:

Carson--12.6 percent
Compton--20.9 percent
Long Beach--13.7 percent
Signal Hill--9.4 percent

Mr. Speaker, although job losses have begun to decline more recently, unemployment is still too high, and the American people need relief now. With the national unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, we must enact legislation that will assist the American people during this precarious economic time of availability at an all-time low. At least 300,000 will run out of their unemployment benefits by the end of September and over 1 million people will run out of their benefits by the end of December.

It is very important that we pass H.R. 3548, but let us not forget that our real task in the coming months is to ensure that every American that wants a job has one. I have been working in Congress to continue to create and pass meaningful reform that will spur job growth and help communities in crisis. One of the most powerful pieces of legislation that we have already passed is the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, which helped create and save 3.5 million American jobs.

The American people are struggling to make ends meet while they search for new jobs in this challenging economy. I urge my colleagues to support this necessary and timely legislation. If we do not pass this bill, we will not only face a financial crisis but a moral deficit in this country as well. We cannot allow that to happen. I urge all members to vote ``aye'' on H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act.

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