News Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) and a bipartisan majority of his House colleagues Thursday approved legislation that will aid workers who have lost their jobs.  The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act would provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to jobless workers in every state.  The bill passed the House 274-137.

“Hard-working Americans have lost their jobs and need help supporting their families and making ends meet,” said Spratt.  “The House did the right thing and passed a bill that will give Americans who have lost their jobs some of the relief they need.”

For the fifth straight month, the economy lost jobs, and unemployment rose nationwide from 5.0% in April to 5.5% in May.  In South Carolina, the unemployment rate in April was 5.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The legislation approved by the House would benefit 3.8 million unemployed Americans, providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. In states with higher levels of unemployment (6% or higher), an additional 13 weeks would be available, for a total of 26 weeks of extended benefits. The legislation will be paid for through the federal unemployment trust funds, which have more than enough reserves to cover the cost of these benefits.

“I hope the Senate will join the House in passing this bill,” Spratt said.

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