[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5295-S5296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNEMPLOYMENT AND COBRA BENEFITS
Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, near the end of May, we learned that the
unemployment rate in my home State of Illinois had fallen to about 10.8
percent, down from 11.2 percent in March. That is the first time the
unemployment rate has gone down since 2006, when it stood at only 4.4
percent.
I am the first to celebrate the creation of even a single well-paying
job. I am happy for each and every Illinoisan we can put back to work
because one job will help someone put food on the table, and it will
help one family stand just a little taller. It will give people the
opportunity to participate in the economy again, buying the goods and
services they need.
That, in turn, means more jobs. One by one, these folks will turn our
economy around from the bottom up. So I do not dismiss this recent jobs
report. This is a step in the right direction. It is welcome news. But
it is only a drop in the bucket. For every person we have put back to
work, many others are still hurting--and hurting badly.
Our landmark stimulus law, which we enacted more than a year ago, has
done a great deal to stop the economy from collapsing and set Americans
back on the road to recovery. The economy is growing again. Many key
indicators have turned around. I am proud to say the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act has been instrumental in preventing a second Great
Depression.
But job creation continues to lag behind. We have made progress in
some areas, but we still have a long way to go. That is why I urge my
colleagues to come together and support job creation measures so we can
keep putting people back to work.
At the same time, I urge them to support further extensions of
unemployment and COBRA benefits so we can help people keep their heads
above water until the recovery is complete.
These are difficult times. Through no fault of their own, millions of
people have suddenly found themselves without a job. These folks are
the victims of reckless behavior on Wall Street, but they, rather than
Wall Street, have been forced to pay the price.
More Americans are classified as ``long-term unemployed'' and
``disadvantaged workers'' than ever before. Many have exhausted their
unemployment benefits or they are dangerously close to doing so.
I believe we must pass this extenders package and restore stability
by helping States cover the rising cost of unemployment insurance.
We need to increase access to COBRA so that people can remain on
their old health insurance for a period of time after they lose their
jobs.
We need to extend these benefits to more hard-working Americans who
are struggling to find work during this time of uncertainty.
Just last month, after a long partisan battle, we passed a temporary
extension of these programs. But that extension expired on June 2,
almost a month ago. So it is time to take up a new measure that will
carry unemployment benefits and COBRA through at least another 6
months--I would love to see more time--as our friends in the House of
Representatives have discussed. This proposal would make more Americans
eligible for existing benefits. It would not increase the current 99-
week limit on these programs, but it would offer a helping hand to
those who have lost their jobs recently and make sure they have access
to the same resources.
This extension would not be a comprehensive fix, but it would help
ease the situation and the strain on the victims of this financial
crisis until the full effects of our stimulus law have taken hold and
the unemployment rate begins to decline at a steady rate.
This extenders package will provide needed relief to those who need
it most. That is why I am deeply disappointed that some of my
colleagues have proposed cuts to this legislation. Some say we should
cut $25 a week in extra unemployment compensation.
Relative to the overall legislation, these cuts would be minimal. But
to a family who has been hit hard by this crisis, $25 a week could make
a tremendous difference. Some will say we cannot afford to provide
these benefits in light of our continued recovery. But what do I say? I
say we cannot afford not to.
We cannot afford to nickel and dime these people who are barely
scraping by as it is. We need to give them the support they deserve.
Let's dispense with this hollow rhetoric about fiscal responsibility
from those who have lost their credibility on this issue.
Over the last decade, Republicans squandered our surplus by spending
wildly on massive tax breaks for the wealthy and the special interests,
a war not paid for, and a medical program not paid for. During the
years when they were in control, Senate Republicans voted seven times
to increase the debt limit. They refused to pay for major initiatives,
they cut revenue, and they increased spending.
It doesn't take a financial expert to recognize that this is just
plain irresponsible. It is easy to say their record simply does not
match their rhetoric.
Let's be honest with the American people. Let's work together to
solve this problem rather than hiding behind the same irresponsible
policies that got us here in the first place.
I recognize that job creation must remain our top priority, and I am
confident that Democrats and Republicans can agree we need to help
people get back to work. In the meantime, let's pass this extension so
that folks can get food on the table and get access to the medical care
they need. Let's stand up for those who have been hit hardest by this
crisis and send them a message loud and clear: We haven't forgotten you
and, hopefully, help is on the way.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania is recognized.
Mr. SPECTER. I ask unanimous consent that I may speak for up to 20
minutes.
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The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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