Mike Levin: “Let me just read what the standard is so that instead of the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), as he sometimes…”

“Let me just read what the standard is so that instead of the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), as he sometimes does question motives, let us talk about what is in the law. It says for whom in, ``The national impact of the terrorist attacks on September 11 contributed importantly to their job loss.'' If anybody thinks that is a very clear standard, I ask them to think twice. It is better than nothing, but do not parade it for what it is not. I want to close by pointing out that in order for persons to be eligible for this, they must be eligible for unemployment insurance first. Less than 40 percent, and maybe it is only about a third of the workers in this country qualify for unemployment compensation in their State, and also, less than a fifth of low income workers qualify, including many in the services industry. So what this has is not only a small amount of money for what is truly needed, not only does it have no other reforms, nothing for health care, but it is not going to cover a huge number of people who were affected by the September 11 tragedy, who clearly were affected. I just want everybody to understand what this bill really is and make no pretense that it is a reason to vote for any other bill.”