Sean Patrick Maloney: “I rise to express my relief that we are finally voting on legislation that will help unemployed Americans. I have heard…”

“I rise to express my relief that we are finally voting on legislation that will help unemployed Americans. I have heard countless stories of working men and women who cannot find jobs in these uncertain economic times. Families have been crying out for help, and it's time that we give them the relief that they need. The aftershocks of 9/11 have affected thousands of workers. In my state alone, unemployment has increased by almost 2 percent since last January. More than one hundred thousand New Yorkers were displaced by the terrorist attacks, and they shouldn't shoulder the economic burden of 9/11 alone. Federal grants to extend unemployment make sense not only for New York, but for the nation as a whole. I am pleased that this legislation contains the 13-week extension of unemployment benefits. However, we must continue our efforts to ensure that laid-off workers without health care benefits obtain the coverage that they need. I only hope that this relief will not linger in conference so that workers will not have to worry about paying rent, sending their children to college, or going to the doctor. It's time to pass this benefits package.”