Van Hollen Applauds Passage of Unemployment Benefits

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Assistant to the Speaker, issued the following statement after House passage of the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act:

"Though we are showing signs of economic recovery, millions of Americans remain out of work through no fault of their own -- that is why the House voted today to pass much-needed legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits through November 2010. Without this extension, an estimated 1.7 million individuals will lose their unemployment benefits. This legislation will help these individuals and their families by retroactively restoring the benefits that they began losing as early as the end of May.

"While our economy is making progress, much more work needs to be done to rebuild -- we cannot make up overnight for eight years of fiscal irresponsibility and the 8 million jobs that were lost. Extending these benefits is the right thing for struggling families and for the economy. If individuals are unable to put food on the table or keep a roof over their heads, we could slide back into recession. In opposing this legislation, Washington Republicans have once again risked our economic security for short-term political gain and stood against American families who are simply trying to make ends meet during these difficult times."

Source