eCall to Extend Unemployment Insurance
Welcome to the Ways and Means Democrats’ eCall to extend Unemployment Insurance.
Unemployment benefits are a vital lifeline for American workers who are jobless through no fault of their own. These programs help Americans continue to put food on their table and pay their bills while they look for work.
Federal unemployment programs, which now provide benefits to millions of Americans, will immediately and completely stop on December 29, 2012. If Congress doesn't act and these benefits are allowed to expire, over two million Americans will be cut off from federal unemployment compensation.
Economists agree that providing extended unemployment benefits is one of the most effective job creation strategies available during a period of high joblessness. Every dollar of unemployment compensation spent creates $1.61 in additional economic activity. The National Employment Law Project estimates that extending the benefits for another year would create 400,000 jobs.
Ways and Means Democrats are calling on Congress to extend the federal emergency unemployment insurance program past this year end cut off. Congress must act soon so that unemployed workers and their families have the security that the rug is not about to be pulled out from under them and our economy has the confidence that workers will be supported while they look for jobs.
The Committee is interested in hearing your thoughts on extending these benefits and on proposals to create new jobs. Through this eforum we want to gather the information Congress needs to understand conditions in American communities across the nation. We welcome your comments on any of the following:
Have you or someone in your family lost a job? Are you struggling to find work or to learn new skills? Tell us your story.
How have unemployment insurance benefits affected your life? Have they helped you pay your bills or stay in your home? Tell us your story.
What kind of job training or reemployment assistance programs are in your community? Did you receive training or job search assistance? Tell us your story.
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Your story will be kept as part of the record of this forum. And this site will be updated with selected stories or relevant portions thereof as the days go on.