SCHAKOWSKY: RARE OCCASION IN THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED HOUSE A VICTORY FOR WORKERS
SCHAKOWSKY: RARE OCCASION IN THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED HOUSE -
A VICTORY FOR WORKERS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today hailed the passage of an economic stimulus package that would actually help unemployed workers and families. The legislation would provide assistance to unemployed workers who have exhausted their benefits. Almost 1.6 million workers have exhausted their benefits since September 11, 2001.
"Workers were promised help immediately after the bailout of the airlines and its executives. They were next on the agenda. Six months later, Republican leaders had to be dragged kicking and screaming to offer help real help to unemployed workers. And they still didn't finish the job," Schakowsky said.
The House-passed economic stimulus bill includes 13 weeks of extended unemployment insurance benefits, a package of tax incentives to aid the economic recovery of New York City, 30% depreciation for equipment purchased after September 10, 2001 (effective for 3 years) and extension of tax provisions that expired/scheduled to expire at the end of 2001.
"In Illinois, an average of 3700 workers are exhausting their unemployment benefits each week. This stimulus package will help workers and families who have suffered long enough. But unless we take the next step and provide health care assistance to the thousands of unemployed workers and Medicaid relief for states, like Illinois who are facing severe budget shortfalls, our job will not be complete. I will work with my colleagues to achieve that goal," Schakowsky said.