Congressman Paul Hodes Files Legislation to Cover Unemployed New Hampshire Workers

October 13, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Paul Hodes filed legislation along with Peter Welch of Vermont, David Loebsack of Iowa, and Tom Perriello of Virginia to extend unemployment compensation to all states, including New Hampshire.

The House passed legislation earlier this month that extended benefits only for the 27 states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. The Senate is considering compromise legislation that would extend benefits to all states for 14 weeks – with an additional six weeks for states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. Congressman Hodes opposed the House legislation and is supportive of Senator Shaheen’s compromise legislation in the Senate.

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The House legislation that Congressman Hodes opposed will not provide any additional assistance to workers in states and territories where unemployment does not exceed 8.5 percent. As currently written, this bill will leave behind up to 100,000 unemployed workers who will soon exhaust their existing benefits.

"New Hampshire’s unemployed families should not be left out of an extension in unemployment benefits," Congressman Hodes said. "Unemployment knows no boundaries or federal formulas, and New Hampshire families are just as deserving of support during this difficult time."

Source: Congressman Paul Hodes