Washington, D.C. - Today Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined his colleagues in passing a bill that will extend unemployment benefits through January of next year.
"At least benefits have been extended so families can make it through the holiday season, but we need more economic security than that," Larsen said.

Larsen continued, "I’m pleased that Congress took care of this before adjourning, but the extension isn’t long enough. When we return, Congress needs to take care of working families’ long term needs."

The unemployment extension is part of a larger bill called the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act (H.R. 5063). The extension is only for five weeks and would cut off the extended benefits program on February 2, 2003.

Larsen added, "This extension will help hard-working families pay their mortgages and put food on the table. Money will continue to exchange hands and help our economy flow."

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that 45,400 unemployed workers in Washington state will have their benefits cut off if not for this extension.

In addition to the five-week extension, Larsen is working to have unemployment insurance extended another six months.