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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 25, 2014 08:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kevin J. Schreiber |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Urging Congress to Extend Emergency Unemployment Compensation |
| In the near future, I will be introducing a resolution urging the United States Congress to immediately reauthorize the extension of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, the recent expiration of which has caused devastating effects to our citizens experiencing long-term unemployment. Congress has permitted the expiration of this critical program as of January 1, 2014, originally adopted to assist the growing numbers of long-term unemployed across this nation. Often, these citizens experience discrimination when attempting to secure employment based on the length of time they have remained unemployed. It is precisely during such circumstances that these citizens need assistance the most. Instead, this much needed social safety net has been torn from underneath our workers and their families, resulting in serious harm. Recent statistics have shown that Pennsylvania has the fourth highest number of unemployed workers eligible to collect emergency long-term unemployment compensation benefits. The cuts to these benefits stand to affect 1.3 million Americans, 86,900 of these being citizens of the Commonwealth, according to recent statistics provided by the National Employment Law Project. In addition, the Economic Policy Institute’s recent labor market turnover report touts that there are 2.9 applicants for each available job. These figures clearly indicate that a large number of our citizens are being denied critical benefits during this most difficult and challenging time. After a long-term unemployed worker has exhausted their 27 weeks of Pennsylvania supplied benefits, some claimants were eligible for additional 37 weeks of federal benefits under the Emergency Unemployed Compensation program. The average time an unemployed Pennsylvanian spent on the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program was 15 weeks before finding employment. I urge you to join me in standing up for the long-term unemployed of this Commonwealth by supporting this vital resolution. Together we must encourage Congress to restore Emergency Unemployment Compensation in order to aid our citizens and their families through this burdensome time. This measure is imperative not only in supplying our workers with the compensation they deserve, but in strengthening the nation’s economy. |
Introduced as HR941