Schakowsky Backs Legislation to Boost Unemployed, Spur Job Growth

Bill would extend Unemployment Insurance, one of Government's most powerful tools

WASHINGTON, DC (February 8, 2011) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) signed on as a cosponsor to The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Expansion Act, which would provide an additional 14 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits to individuals who have exhausted the 99 weeks available under current law. She released the following statement:

"Providing additional unemployment benefits to the so-called "99ers... is not only the right thing to do morally, it is also the smart thing to do economically.

"Of all the tools that the federal government has to create jobs, unemployment insurance has one of the greatest impacts on families and communities, and also on the economy overall.  Unemployment insurance goes straight into the pockets of those who will spend it right away, providing immediate aid to families who need it, shoring up our economy's rebound, and serving as a shot in the arm to spur job creation.

"By no fault of their own, the long-term unemployed have been subjected to the most painful economy since the Great Depression. Reckless economic policies and incredibly irresponsible decision-making by Wall Street executives drove our country into the economic ditch -- and millions of Americans into unemployment. We need to make those who were responsible accountable, not punish those who are suffering. This Congress must extend unemployment insurance now....