[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H4097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1700
   CONGRESS SHOULD EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS IMMEDIATELY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida). Under a 
previous order of the House, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I stand before my colleagues today to 
call on this Congress to pass an extension of unemployment benefits 
immediately. Just listen to the unemployment numbers from labor market 
areas in my congressional district; they are glaring: 30 percent in the 
Millinocket and East Millinocket area, 13 percent in Calais, 12 percent 
in Jonesport-Millbridge, 11 percent in Dexter-Pittsfield, 11 percent in 
Machias-Eastport.
  The fact is behind those figures are real people and real families, 
and they go to bed every night with the uncertainty that hangs over 
their beds.
  As a mill worker in northern Maine myself for nearly 30 years, I know 
the stories of those who have lost their jobs. I know the people. They 
are my neighbors, they are my friends, they are my relatives. They are 
the very men and women whose hard work fueled a decade of economic 
expansion, which they barely enjoyed, and they have now become the 
victims of a fallen economy.
  The Federal Government reported that 8.8 million Americans are out of 
work and that our country's unemployment has risen to 6 percent. Over 
the past 2 years, the economy has lost over 2.7 million private sector 
jobs, and our economy has suffered a net loss, on average, of more than 
74,000 jobs a month.
  In Maine, over the last 8 years, we have lost over 22,000 
manufacturing jobs alone from companies like Georgia-Pacific to Dexter 
Shoes to Fraser Paper Company to Great Northern Paper Company to 
Hathaway Shirts to Foster Manufacturing, just to name a few. Almost 
every week my office receives news of yet another company that has shut 
its doors or has laid off people.
  By the end of May, over 2,700 workers in Maine will have exhausted 
their benefits, and 10,600 workers in Maine could be helped by an 
extension, not to mention the nearly 4 million jobless Americans.
  How can this Congress turn its back on them?
  An extension would also do much more than provide just aid. At a time 
when we are trying to get this economy moving again, putting money in 
the hands of people who will spend it on consumption is one of the best 
investments that we can make.
  According to an independent research group, each dollar devoted to UI 
extension would boost the economy by $1.73. By contrast, each dollar 
that is connected with the tax reduction dividends would boost the 
economy by just 9 cents. I think the choice is very clear.
  But, despite these facts, last Friday this House passed a so-called 
recovery plan that is centered around reducing taxes on capital gains 
and dividends. Madam Speaker, 94 percent of the people in my district 
will get an average tax cut totaling only $52 from the cuts on capital 
gains and dividend taxes. How will that plan put money in their hands 
to spend and consume so they can stimulate the economy? How will this 
help get them jobs?
  After nearly 30 years working in a paper mill, I know what working 
people need, and the bill that was passed last Friday will not help 
working people at all. It will not help the people in Millinocket, 
Jonesport, Dexter or Bangor.
  By contrast, an alternative plan that I supported would actually 
deliver billions of new tax relief. It would give incentives so 
companies will hire the long-term unemployed, it would deliver $44 
billion in aid to struggling States like Maine, and it would also 
extend unemployment assistance to those struggling to find a job. This 
would deliver over 1.1 million new jobs.
  We could do all of this in 10 years at zero cost, nothing; no 
additional budget deficits, no more borrowing from Social Security. 
This is the best course for the State of Maine. This is the best course 
for America.
  So let us take the first step, and that first step is we must pass an 
unemployment insurance extension today so those areas with high 
unemployment such as 30 percent unemployment in the Millinocket area 
will be able to benefit and get the economy moving again.

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