Ayotte Votes for Temporary Extension of Long-Term Jobless Benefits

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today voted in support of legislation that pays for a five-month extension of long-term unemployment benefits and prohibits jobless benefits for millionaires. The Senate approved the legislation by a vote of 59 to 38.

"Since the beginning of this year, I've worked to find a fiscally responsible, bipartisan solution to temporarily extend long-term jobless benefits. This legislation will pay for a short-term extension of the long-term unemployment insurance program while also seeking to prohibit unemployment benefits for millionaires," said Ayotte. "Moving forward, I will continue my efforts to address needed reforms to our federal unemployment programs in order to help ensure that the long-term unemployed have the right training and incentives to get back to work as soon as possible."

Senator Ayotte has led efforts in the Senate to achieve a fiscally responsible proposal that temporarily extends benefits without adding to the deficit - including putting forth her own proposal to pay for an extension. Ayotte has voted multiple times to advance unemployment compensation legislation, and last week was one of six Republicans to cross party lines to advance the proposal that was voted on today by the Senate.

The legislation approved today by the Senate would prohibit regular unemployment compensation and long-term unemployment compensation benefits for individuals whose adjusted gross income in the preceding year was equal to or greater than $1 million.

Ayotte cosponsored an amendment introduced by Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) that would have helped ensure unemployment benefits are directed toward those who are actively seeking work and that would prevent benefits from going to those who refuse offers of suitable work. However, the Majority Leader did not allow a vote on the measure.

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