Jim Nussle: “I rise in support of S. 23, which will provide a 5-month extension of the Federal emergency unemployment insurance…”

“I rise in support of S. 23, which will provide a 5-month extension of the Federal emergency unemployment insurance benefits. This measure is not inexpensive. The bill carries a $7.25 billion price tag for fiscal year 2003, and moreover, that price tag fails to take into account an additional $650 billion in costs that the Congressional Budget Office will recognize for this bill when it adjusts its budget projections at the end of this month. However, for those among the Nation's unemployed, they will find this to be a lifeline. They will find a lifeline in this legislation that will help them pay their bills, help them pay their family's bills, while they continue to look for work. As the incoming chairman of the committee charged with enforcing the budget resolution, I must, however, point out that S. 23 will exceed the budget resolution which the House adopted for fiscal year 2003 in March of last year.”