Unemployment

November 6 , 2009 -- “Today, President Obama signed a federal extension of Unemployment Insurance, ensuring that nearly 55,000 New Yorkers who had previously exhausted their benefits will be entitled to an additional 20 weeks.

“Unemployment Insurance was created as a safety net for workers who found themselves out of work through no fault of their own. In an economic climate where there is only one job for every six unemployed New Yorkers, Unemployment Insurance has taken on a different meaning. It has quickly changed from a safety net to a lifeline.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- CONCORD – New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today applauded Congress’ approval of an extension of unemployment benefits for thousands of New Hampshire citizens.

The legislation will extend benefits for 14 weeks for workers in New Hampshire. The legislation originally only extended benefits to workers in states where the unemployment rate is higher than 8.5 percent. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen authored an amendment making the extended benefits available to workers in all 50 states.

“I want to thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership in ensuring these benefits will be available to New Hampshire workers,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

BOSTON – November 06, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today announced that Massachusetts has won approximately $2 million in federal stimulus funding to aid in the development of affordable, reliable broadband Internet services for all communities in the Commonwealth. On Wednesday, the Governor met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke in Washington, D.C. to push for the state’s broadband priorities, noting that expanding access to high-speed Internet will create jobs, support business expansion and help students and businesses compete in a 21st global economy.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today praised President Obama for signing the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009 that she co-sponsored, into law. The new law will extend long-term unemployment benefits in Michigan by 20 weeks. It will also provide tax refunds to businesses that have been hit by the economic recession, and extends and expands the successful first-time homebuyer tax credit.    » read more »

National Unemployment Above 10%

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after reports showing payrolls fell by 190,000 workers last month and the U.S. unemployment rate climbed to 10.2%, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) continued his call for Congress and the Obama Administration to take new, cost-effective steps to prevent more layoffs, aid businesses, and create jobs.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today on the announcement by the Department of Labor that the national unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent, the highest rate since 1983:

“The unemployment rate isn’t just a statistic we use to measure the state of the economy. It represents not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of families who are struggling with the loss of a job.

“Economists may say that we’re in a recovery now, but to those families the recession drags on. On Main Street, there’s no such thing a ‘jobless recovery.’ To truly pull out of this recession, we have to create jobs.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joseph Lieberman today expressed concern about the continuing loss of jobs and a jobless rate of 10.2%.

Senator Lieberman said, "Today's troubling news about the continuing loss of jobs from our economy and a jobless rate of 10.2% shows that workers in Connecticut and throughout the country are continuing to struggle to find work and make ends meet. The latest unemployment numbers underscore that the number one responsibility of Congress is to create jobs and spur an economic recovery.    » read more »

“We Are Not Creating Jobs Fast Enough and Must Take Additional, Immediate Steps to Help Save and Create Jobs”

November 6, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Today, as the U.S. Department of Labor announced October unemployment reached 10.2 percent, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

"Today's unemployment number is a dire indication of how deep the current crisis has pushed our economy.    » read more »

Underscores Need For Safety Net, Recovery Efforts; Unemployment Insurance Extension Signed Into Law Today; Casey COBRA Health Care Subsidy Introduced

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC- Following the announcement that the U.S. unemployment rate climbed to 10.2% in October, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on improving the safety net for unemployed workers and the need for job creation initiatives:    » read more »

Washington, Nov 5 -- Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses.

The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (HR 3548) now heads to the President for his signature. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 403 to 12. The Senate passed the legislation November 4 by a vote of 98 to 0.

The legislation will extend relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) -- Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) today voted for an extension of unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit and tax relief for military families and businesses that will help stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families.

The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide.    » read more »

Legislation also extends homebuyer credit, provides business tax relief

November 5, 2009 -- (Washington D.C.) -- The House of Representatives today passed legislation which extends unemployment insurance up to 20 weeks for jobless workers who have exhausted their previous extensions. Additionally, the legislation extends and expands the availability of the homebuyer tax credit and provides tax relief for businesses hard hit by the recession. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act passed by a vote of 403 to 12. The President is expected to sign the measure into law.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Washington, DC – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15), co-sponsor of H.R. 3548, the “Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009”, spoke about the passage of this bill that stands to help the tens of thousands of Michigan residents on the verge of losing their unemployment benefits. The House passed the bill 403-12.    » read more »

Nov. 07, 2009 -- Washington, DC – On Thursday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HR 3548, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 by a vote of 403 to 12. This bill provides critical aid to families in Southeast Michigan and across the country in the form of extended unemployment benefits, tax relief to businesses, and an extension and expansion of the homebuyers’ tax credit.

The bill, which was passed earlier this week by the Senate, now goes to the President’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.

A copy of Congressman Conyers’ statement of support is below:

Statement of Congressman John Conyers, Jr. on
Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009
November 5, 2009

Madam Speaker,    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. House of Representatives today voted 403-12 to extend unemployment benefits for 14 weeks to 1.3 million jobless Americans who will exhaust all their unemployment benefits by the end of the year, including an estimated 46,900 in Hawaii. The extended unemployment benefits were part of the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which also extends the homebuyers’ tax credit and tax relief for military families and businesses.    » read more »