Political Quotes

“is there an urgent need for us to help America in this time of crisis? I think most people would agree there is. As a result, the House of Representatives more than 6 weeks ago passed legislation to continue to provide assistance to Americans who are in need. Certainly, that would include those who are unemployed. We created an unemployment Federal benefit of $600 a week over and above the State benefit, expanded eligibility and the time the benefit would be awarded, and made it available across this country right at the moment when some 40 million Americans were announcing that they had lost their jobs, were unemployed. It was a helping hand that was long overdue and certainly made a difference in the lives of many families. I think it is responsible for the fact that we did see welcome news last week that some 2 million Americans have gone back to work. I hope that trend continues, but in the meantime, of the 20 million who are unemployed, this helping hand of $600 a week from the Federal Government is essential. It is not exactly a windfall when you calculate it. The Federal benefit, plus State benefit really comes up close to the average wage of most Americans. It is not a major benefit that they can live off of for any long period of time--that is for sure--but it gets them through the crisis, we hope, in paying their rent, their mortgage, utility bills, and providing food and clothing for their family.…”