We Need To Help The Unemployed

Floor Speech

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, The New York Times and CBS released a poll recently that showed what the feelings are and the effects of unemployment on Americans. We've had 10 percent unemployment and many people that are long-term unemployed. The effects are devastating.

People who are unemployed are more likely not to have health insurance and have difficulty and give up getting medical care. That costs the public later with emergency room visits and costs us more money. They have more problems with depression and anxiety, and yet can't afford medical treatment. Again, problems arise. They have lost their homes, neighborhoods suffer, crime increases, neighborhood values decrease.

The loss of jobs has hurt millions of Americans and others because of the effects on the economy, on government, and on neighborhoods. But the people who have lost their jobs know why they have lost their jobs. Twenty-six percent specifically say the reason they've lost their jobs is because of President Bush and the policies that were brought about during the time he was President. That is obvious. The second largest group is Wall Street bankers. We need to help the unemployed. We need to find jobs.

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