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The Macomb Daily
September 17, 2008 |
Opinion
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Congress Must Extend Additional Jobless Benefits |
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When it comes to his support of legislation, U.S. Rep. Sander Levin is a lot like Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli.
He may have been beaten once, even twice, but there's no giving up.
And with that attitude, Levin is pushing for House Resolution 6867, which would provide a 7-week extension of unemployment benefits nationwide, with an additional 13-week extension for high unemployment states like Michigan.
"We fought hard to get the program started, and now it is clear it must be extended," said Levin, a Royal Oak Democrat whose district includes much of Macomb County.
"The number of long-term unemployed is over double what it was in the past recession and economic conditions are worsening. Unemployed individuals and their families need federal support while they continue to look hard for work."
The numbers certainly support extending benefits.
The Labor Department reported last week that new applications for jobless benefits were at 445,000 nationwide. The number of people continuing to draw jobless benefits increased to a 5-year high of 3.53 million, above analysts' expectations.
Counting those who are no longer eligible for benefits, there are nearly 10 million Americans out of work.
Congress previously passed legislation extending unemployment benefits but, at the encouragement of President George W. Bush, the provision for extra assistance for high unemployment states was removed.
The new push for additional benefits comes at a time when the U.S. seems to face a daily dose of bad economic news.
Just last week, it was announced the U.S. trade deficit soared in July to the highest level in 16 months as oil imports hit an all-time high. According to the Commerce Department, the gap between imports and exports rose 5.7 percent to $62.2 billion, much worse than Wall Street economists expected.
This follows the expensive takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and was before the banking crisis worsened over the weekend.
But if Congress and President Bush can find the money to battle the mortgage and banking crisis, individual taxpayers looking for work should not be excluded from government assistance.
By the end of this year, nearly 1.1 million Americans — 58,000 in Michigan — will have exhausted their original 13-week benefits.
Since the original extension was approved in July, 84,000 unemployed Michiganders have received benefits. That's $164 million to the unemployed here.
That's certainly enough evidence that Michigan needs more help.
And hopefully, Congress and President Bush will agree.
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To Contact Congressman Levin: -
Email Congressman Levin In Michigan: 27085 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066 | (586) 498-7122 | (248) 968-2025
In Washington: 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 | (202) 225-4961
