[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13023]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE NECESSARY FOR 3.8 MILLION JOBLESS AMERICANS

  (Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, millions of Americans all over the United 
States are struggling to put food on the table and gas in their cars. 
Imagine at the same time that these prices spike you lose your job and 
that your unemployment benefits run out simply because there are not 
enough jobs to go around. This has happened to 1.6 million Americans. 
They need our help.
  Last week, Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation to immediately 
extend unemployment insurance for an additional 13 weeks. Today, that 
bill will be included in the emergency supplemental. This important 
legislation deserves strong bipartisan support.
  With 325,000 jobs lost already this year and 3.8 million workers out 
of a job, it is imperative we take action now. We must continue to look 
for immediate solutions to our economic troubles. Extending 
unemployment insurance is one of the most cost-effective and fast-
acting ways to stimulate the economy because the money is spent 
quickly.
  Madam Speaker, President Bush and his allies in Congress should drop 
their opposition to this bill so we can help millions of Americans who 
are struggling with this recession economy.

                          ____________________