Barbara Lee: Ignoring the long-term unemployed is hurting economy
“We must take immediate action to address the rising rates of unemployment across the country. As Americans struggle to meet the basic needs of themselves and their families, they are losing hope. Of the 13.9 million people out of work, 6.2 million have been unemployed for nearly two years. Currently, 3.6 million Americans rely on emergency and extended unemployment benefits because their traditional benefits have expired. Thirty-nine states and territories reported an increase in unemployment claims over the last month.
“We must provide jobless workers with temporary assistance to meet their basic needs while they focus on getting a job. Immediate action must be taken to extend unemployment benefits fourteen more weeks for those who have reached the end of their 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. My bill, H.R. 589, provides this lifeline. Not only do jobless workers need assistance for food and shelter month to month, but unemployed workers immediately spend the assistance – which stimulates the economy and contributes to job growth. It is far past time we act. I reiterate my call to Speaker Boehner to allow an up or down vote on H.R. 589.”
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