[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 137 (Friday, September 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3548, 
the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act.
  This critical legislation would extend unemployment benefits by up to 
13 weeks in states with high unemployment, such as my home state of 
California, where the unemployment rate has reached a record 12.2 
percent.
  In California alone, this bill will provide additional benefits for 
over 150,000 jobless workers who would otherwise exhaust their 
unemployment benefits before the end of this year.
  These new benefits will help the millions of Californians who have 
lost their jobs through no fault of their own feed their families, heat 
their homes and pay their mortgages.
  Extending these benefits is also one of the most cost-effective and 
fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy because the money is spent 
quickly. According to Moody's Economy.com, every $1 spent on 
unemployment benefits generates $1.63 in new economic demand.
  There is no question that this legislation is needed. Yes, our 
economy is beginning to recover. But millions are still out of work and 
struggling to stay afloat.
  I support this bill because it will provide real money for real 
workers who need it in California and across the nation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in voting yes on H.R. 3548.

                          ____________________