Baldwin Urges Legislature to Accept Benefits for Unemployed

Press Release

With thousands of hardworking Wisconsinites struggling with long-term unemployment, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has sent a letter to members of the Wisconsin State Legislature urging them to act quickly to allow extended federal unemployment benefits to flow to Wisconsin's unemployed.

"Wisconsin workers, through no fault of their own, have suffered greatly as a result of the recession that cost us so many jobs. Federal unemployment insurance benefits are currently available to Wisconsin's long-term unemployed and, yet, Republican leaders in our state legislature are choosing to refuse them. Their inaction is both morally wrong and economically damaging to our state," said Congresswoman Baldwin. Estimates are that extending benefits would provide a $89 million boost in federal money to Wisconsin's economy.

In December 2010, President Obama and Congress acted to provide extended benefits to individuals whose benefits expire. However, the WI State Legislature must make a change to state law to accept those extended benefits. Because of the legislature's failure to make that change, more than 10,000 Wisconsinites who would have received extended benefits lost their benefits in April. Hundreds more are affected each week.

With roughly a quarter million Wisconsinites currently looking for work, the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council, on June 23rd, voted unanimously to make the legislative fix to qualify for extended federal benefits. The legislature still has not acted.

"I categorically reject the notion held by some Republicans in the state legislature that unemployment benefits serve as a disincentive to find work. Wisconsinites are proud, hard-working people," said Baldwin. "Our businesses already are paying a federal payroll tax that helps fund unemployment benefits throughout the nation. They are contributing to extended unemployment benefits for Alabamans, New Yorkers, and Californians while our own people suffer. This money should also be going to Wisconsinites who continue to seek work. They, in turn, would provide a boost to our economy by paying their bills, providing food for their families, avoiding foreclosure, and supporting local businesses," Baldwin said.

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