[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S8365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Harkin, and Mr. 
        Whitehouse):
  S. 1747. A bill to provide for the extension of certain unemployment 
benefits, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Emergency 
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013 to ensure that 1.3 
million unemployed Americans, including 4,900 Rhode Islanders, will not 
lose unemployment insurance at the end of the year.
  Unemployment insurance, UI, is a vital lifeline for individuals and 
the economy. It provides a temporary weekly benefit t5o those who are 
looking for work and were laid off through no fault of their own.
  Economists across the spectrum agree that maintaining unemployment 
insurance will grow our economy, spur consumer demand, and help 
businesses, States, and job seekers. Alternatively, according to the 
Economic Policy Institute, the failure to renew UI could cost our 
economy 310,000 jobs in 2014.
  Extending unemployment insurance is a key part of keeping our economy 
moving forward. Indeed, continuing UI is part of a broad range of pro-
growth and pro-jobs policies we should be enacting. I am pleased to be 
joined in this effort by Senators Stabenow, Harkin, and Whitehouse, and 
I urge our colleagues to join us in cosponsoring and pressing for 
action on this important legislation.

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