Action update on unemployment benefits bill

Thanks to reader Kristie for bringing this to my attention:

The House of Representatives may act as early as this Wednesday, May 14, on a bill that will include extension of unemployment benefits for up to an additional 26 weeks. This was originally part of the economic stimulus package that brought you the $600 IRS check, but was eliminated during negotiations. For more details on the proposal, click here and here.

The National Employment Law Project, on their website UnemployedWorkers.org, explains some crucial details:

The President is still on record opposing the extension of jobless benefits despite the continued loss of jobs reported last month by the Department of Labor.  For the President to understand the importance of the bill, it is critically necessary that the extension of jobless benefits continues to build strong bi-partisan support.

If you want your member of Congress to hear from you on this important topic, now is the time to contact them. You can find your rep here, and NELP has some pointers on contacting them here.

Job hunter image: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Comments

[Enn Lepist]

I am a resident of NYS and nearing the end of my unemployment benefits in a couple of weeks. I don't think I need to remind my NYS congressional and senate representatives the importance of any benefits extension plan...they are well aware of its importance to the unemployed...its the clown in the White House that we need to worry about.

[Bronwyn]

When writing to your reps, why not write to the White House too? Latest news is the House of Representatives vote on the bill that includes the unemployment extension may come today.

Thanks for adding your voice, Enn.

[Kevin Nowlin]

I live in Rhode Island and I look for work daily. It is a tough job market. People like me who have exhausted their benefits need some help desperately.