|
Congress to debate more unemployment benefits |
|
By Mike Soraghan
|
|
Posted: 09/05/08 02:34 PM [ET] |
|
Key Democrats announced Friday that the House will take up legislation to extend unemployment benefits when Congress returns next week. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Income Security and Family Support subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) said in a statement they will introduce a bill to provide another seven weeks of extended unemployment benefits for all workers. That is in addition to the 13 weeks provided in legislation signed in June. In states with higher unemployment, workers would be entitled to an additional 13 weeks of extended benefits.Their announcement follows a report Friday from the Labor Department that unemployment rose last month to 6.1 percent — the highest level in five years. “Today’s jobs report brings the economic insecurity facing millions of American families into focus, and Congress must act accordingly to provide additional relief to those in need,” Rangel said in the statement.
|
