In these increasingly hard economic times, America’s working families are struggling under the stubborn refusal of the GOP to extend a helping hand.  The House of Representatives passed an extension of unemployment benefits to provide relief for workers that have lost their jobs and are struggling in today’s sagging economy last week, yet 137 House Republicans voted against this extension and President Bush has threatened a veto.  President Bush needs to sign this important unemployment benefit extension into law and support America’s working families as they struggle to make ends meet with rising food and energy costs.

In May, the national unemployment rate jumped from 5 percent to 5.5 percent, the biggest one-month increase in over 20 years.  Working families need our help now, similar to the unemployment benefits extension that President Bush signed into law in 2002.  The extension of unemployment benefits would target those workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular benefits and are still looking for work is much needed and overdue.  Extending unemployment benefits is not only the right thing to do for workers impacted by President Bush’s failed economic policies, but is also a cost-effective and fast-acting economic stimulus.  Every $1 spent generates $1.73 in new economic demand.

In California, the average unemployment rate continues to rise and recently climbed above six percent.  In East Lost Angeles, unemployment has risen above passed eight percent.  These job losses are being felt across the country.  The U.S. economy has lost jobs for five consecutive months.  In total, 324,000 jobs have disappeared.  More than 800,000 more Americans are looking for work than a year ago.  In addition, the number of long-term unemployed – 1.5 million workers – is higher now than when Congress last extended unemployment benefits in 2002.

American workers deserve our help to keep their families afloat and food on the table in these difficult times. But we need the help of our Republican colleagues and this Administration to reverse the disastrous course of its failed policies. I urge President Bush to sign this vital unemployment benefit extension into law so that working families can receive the help they need.  Any veto of the unemployment benefit extension is nothing less than a slap in the face to workers who are struggling as a result of President Bush’s failed economic policies.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 at 11:10 am and is filed under Uncategorized .