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BERKLEY: EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WILL HELP LAS VEGAS VALLEY FAMILIES PDF Print E-mail

House Set to Pass 13 Weeks Additional Assistance for Jobless Nevadans; No Cost to State

(June 19, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.) Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today said she will again vote to extend unemployment benefits an additional 13 weeks at a time when Nevada’s jobless rate is above the national average. The extension for qualified Nevadans is included as part of a funding bill for Iraq and Afghanistan scheduled to come for a vote before the House later today.

“At a time when we are seeing higher unemployment rates at home and across the nation, this 13 week extension package will help Valley households cover day to day expenses when someone in the family loses a job. Opposition from the White House has already delayed this assistance, but I hope President Bush will finally join our effort to help millions of Americans who are in search of jobs,” said Berkley.



The legislation expected to be approved by the House will benefit 3.8 million unemployed Americans -- providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits.



“I am confident that Las Vegas will weather this storm, but in the meantime, more of our friends and neighbors are in need of this assistance than ever before. Working together, we can get these benefits into the hands of southern Nevada families in need of this help to pay the rent and keep food on the dinner table,” said Berkley.



As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Berkley worked to craft the unemployment compensation extension package that was included in the spending package that will come before the House this afternoon. The package is entirely funded through federal resources and does not require any state funding.



“Because this is a federally funded extension of unemployment benefits, there will be no cost to Nevada state government. This is especially important given our record state budget shortfalls and the painful cuts in important services that are being proposed as a result,” said Berkley.
 
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