WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding the monthly jobs report released today:
“Today’s jobs report, while more promising than expected, illustrates the importance of continuing emergency unemployment benefits. There are nearly 14 million Americans still looking for work. Never in history have so many been unemployed for so long. Letting unemployment programs expire, as some Republicans advocate, will not only hurt struggling Americans, but estimates suggest it could also cost our nation half a million jobs. We must act to ensure that millions of Americans aren’t suddenly without assistance as we continue to climb out of the worst jobs climate in 80 years.
“In seven months since they assumed the majority in the House, Republicans have not passed a single jobs bill, instead focusing on a rigid ideological agenda. In fact, the only measure touted as a ‘jobs act’ that has moved through the Ways and Means Committee would in fact end federal guaranteed unemployment insurance."
KEY FACTS:
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Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits are set to expire at the end of the year.
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6.2 million Americans have been unemployed longer than 26 weeks.
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The average weekly unemployment benefit is $298.62.
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The Economic Policy Institute estimates that extending the program through next year would create $70 billion in economic activity and a 0.4% bump in GDP.
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The only unemployment insurance legislation Republicans have moved this year is a bill passed through Ways and Means that would end - not continue - the federal guaranteed unemployment insurance.
