Kaptur Supports Extended Unemployment Benefits As Jobless Figures Continue to Rise
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Marcy Kaptur joined a bipartisan coalition to pass legislation that would extend unemployment benefits to millions of American workers who are jobless through no fault of their own.
"More than a third of a million Ohioans are out of work, and they need a lifeline to keep their heads above water," said Congresswoman Kaptur after the House overwhelmingly passed the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act. The legislation, which would immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits, was approved by a vote of 274-137.
Congresswoman Kaptur urged House Republicans to join Democrats in standing up for American workers by overriding an expected presidential veto. Noting today's Wall Street Journal poll that shows 21 percent of the public approves of President Bush's handling of the economy, Congresswoman Kaptur said families hit by unemployment should not be made to suffer as a result of the president's failed policies.
"The American people might have lost faith in the president," said Kaptur, "but we cannot lose faith in the American people."
Six Ohio Republicans--a majority of the Ohio congressional delegation--voted in favor of the extended benefits.
Across the country, families are struggling with a weak economy, including the largest monthly increase in unemployment in the past 20 years, as well as $4-a-gallon gasoline. The Federal Reserve's Beige Book, a survey of national economic conditions, reported yesterday that U.S. consumer spending has suffered due to higher costs for food and energy.
The legislation approved in the House today would benefit 3.8 million jobless Americans by providing up to 13 weeks of extended benefits to workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular unemployment compensation.
The most recent unemployment rates are as follows: Ottawa County, 7.6%; Lucas County, 6.5% (including 7.1% in Toledo); 6.3% in Erie County; 6.2% in Lorain County; and, 5.6% in the state of Ohio.
"More than a third of a million Ohioans are out of work, and they need a lifeline to keep their heads above water," said Congresswoman Kaptur after the House overwhelmingly passed the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act. The legislation, which would immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits, was approved by a vote of 274-137.
Congresswoman Kaptur urged House Republicans to join Democrats in standing up for American workers by overriding an expected presidential veto. Noting today's Wall Street Journal poll that shows 21 percent of the public approves of President Bush's handling of the economy, Congresswoman Kaptur said families hit by unemployment should not be made to suffer as a result of the president's failed policies.
"The American people might have lost faith in the president," said Kaptur, "but we cannot lose faith in the American people."
Six Ohio Republicans--a majority of the Ohio congressional delegation--voted in favor of the extended benefits.
Across the country, families are struggling with a weak economy, including the largest monthly increase in unemployment in the past 20 years, as well as $4-a-gallon gasoline. The Federal Reserve's Beige Book, a survey of national economic conditions, reported yesterday that U.S. consumer spending has suffered due to higher costs for food and energy.
The legislation approved in the House today would benefit 3.8 million jobless Americans by providing up to 13 weeks of extended benefits to workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of regular unemployment compensation.
The most recent unemployment rates are as follows: Ottawa County, 7.6%; Lucas County, 6.5% (including 7.1% in Toledo); 6.3% in Erie County; 6.2% in Lorain County; and, 5.6% in the state of Ohio.
