[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HISTORIC JUMP IN JOB LOSSES REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION

  (Mrs. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, every month this year the Bush 
administration and the Bush economy has shed more jobs than it has 
produced, leaving millions of American workers competing against each 
other for the remaining jobs. We haven't seen this many people enter 
unemployment so quickly in over three decades.
  Today, the House will consider providing up to 13 weeks of extended 
unemployment benefits to workers who have exhausted the 26 weeks of 
regular benefits. The bill will provide relief to American families 
struggling through these tough economic times.
  Unemployment benefits are also important to economic recovery, with 
absolutely every dollar of the benefit checks going right back into the 
economy. And while the economy continues to weaken and costs for 
gasoline and food skyrocket every day, the need for government help is 
clear.
  Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues continue to oppose these 
efforts to assist millions of out-of-work Americans, even though they 
supported a similar extension in 2002, when job loss numbers were not 
nearly as bad as they are today.
  Mr. Speaker, as our economy continues to face tough times, Washington 
should explore every possible option to help those struggling. That is 
exactly what Democrats will do today in Congress, extend those 
benefits.

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