A Blog Called Hope

Today, Congressman Kennedy (D-RI) voiced his support for a bill that would extend unemployment compensation for roughly four million citizens.

Here is a glimpse of the press release from Congressman Kennedy’s office:

Congressman Patrick Kennedy today announced his support for H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008, which is being considered today by the House of Representatives. The legislation, effective through March of 2009, will offer much needed relief to 3.8 [million] unemployed workers. It will immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. The additional benefits would be paid for out of the federal unemployment compensation trust fund.

“Rhode Island has an unemployment rate that ranks the highest in New England and among the highest in the country. Rhode Islanders are suffering, and unfortunately it looks like our national economy may get worse before it gets better. We cannot lose sight of the fact that our current economic woes are affecting people in profound ways. In addition to providing an additional safety net to help out-of-work Rhode Islanders through our current economic downturn, this legislation will bolster our economy by putting money directly into the hands of consumers, offering some assistance with cost of living expenses,” said Congressman Patrick Kennedy.