Washington, DC- Today Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health,Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, put out the following statement regarding today’sjobs numbers that reflect a notable increase in long-term unemployment. More than 1.3million Americans who are currently looking for work have been seeking a job for 26 weeks ormore - an increase of nearly 200,000 since last month. Kennedy is the sponsor of legislationthat will modernize the unemployment insurance system, S. 1871. Below is his statement:
“Today’s jobs numbers show the paradox of the modern economy - while the overall picture isgood, many working families are facing tremendous insecurity, struggling for months to find agood, family-supporting job. The numbers reflect that profound shifts in our national economyare leaving more and more working Americans behind. We need to focus national attention onhelping these hardworking people recapture the American dream. I have recently introduceda bipartisan proposal to modernize our unemployment insurance system and I hope mycolleagues will join me in supporting this important legislation."
