Washington, D.C. -- “Eighty-four thousand Americans lost their jobs last month and the number of unemployed Americans is the highest since 1992.  The economy has lost jobs for eight straight months — 605, 000 this year,” said U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie.  “Today, the House passed legislation to boost our economy, create jobs, and help provide additional relief to families who are struggling.

The economic recovery bill is designed to:

• Grow our economy and create jobs through investment in our nation’s infrastructure;

• Extend unemployment benefits for the growing number of Americans looking for work;

• Help ensure families don’t go hungry with Food Stamp assistance; and

• Ensure Americans do not lose health coverage as a result of state budget crises.

If Congress does not pass additional weeks of emergency unemployment benefits, an estimated 1,638 unemployed workers in Hawaii will lose benefits in October and 2405 will lose benefits between October and December.

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