Reps. Bobby Scott and Barbara Lee to Introduce Legislation for Unemployment Compensation Exhaustees

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) introduced legislation in the 112^th Congress to expand unemployment compensation for those hardworking Americans who lost their jobs during the historic economic recession and have exhausted their unemployment compensation benefits. The legislation – Emergency Unemployment Compensation Expansion Act – will add 14 additional weeks of unemployment compensation to Tier 1, making it available to all unemployed persons regardless of the unemployment conditions in their state.

Congressman Scott and Congresswoman Lee introduced a similar version of the legislation at the end of the 111^th Congress, but it did not reach the House floor for a vote. Congressman Scott and Congresswoman Lee are re-introducing the legislation in hopes that it will receive the bi-partisan support necessary to help those unemployed Americans most in need.

Here is some important information about the legislation:

• Provides 14 additional weeks of emergency unemployment compensation to Tier I.
• Adding these 14 extra weeks to Tier 1 makes them available for all those who are chronically unemployed, and not just those who are currently collecting unemployment benefits from a “high unemployment state.”
• The additional benefit will be available for all unemployed persons who have exhausted their benefits as well as those who will be unemployed this year.
• This unemployment compensation expansion is similar to the expansion that was passed and signed into law in November 2009 which provided an additional week of benefits to Tier II.

“The Great Recession has been devastating for so many American families,” Rep. Scott said. “Not only will this legislation help these hardworking Americans make ends meet, it will stimulate the economy. According to the Center for American Progress’s recent report on the impact of the recession, economists estimate that the U.S. economy grows by $1.61 for every dollar the government spends on unemployment compensation because unemployed persons usually spend all of their benefit payments quickly. Put simply, unemployment compensation is one of the most efficient and effective ways to stimulate the economy.”

“Millions of workers across the nation, many of whom live in my district, are experiencing a true state of emergency, said Representative Barbara Lee. “Our bill would ensure these long-term unemployed workers get the long overdue assistance they need to support their families, make ends meet and contribute to our economy. The Republican leadership has given a lot of lip service to creating jobs for our working class, but they have yet to even produce a plan. Now they have a chance to support emergency relief to millions of working class people who can contribute to our economy as they fight to support their families. I call on Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Cantor to bring this to a vote on the House floor as soon as possible”