On the recordFebruary 1, 2012
I want to thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Democratic motion to instruct and in support of an initiative in this bill that I believe will have a positive impact on our Nation's staggering unemployment rate. In these uncertain economic times, we must allow States the ability to pursue innovative, pro-work strategies, and we must grant them the flexibility to build effective employment programs. Every day, I hear from businesses in my district in Ohio that are ready to hire but that cannot find the right person. Most of those currently collecting unemployment insurance want to return to work as soon as possible. We must implement measures and expedite reemployment without adding to the deficit. A concept for granting States the flexibility to redirect a portion of unemployment benefits to an employer was included in the original bill. In exchange, the employer would hire a qualified unemployed worker at a higher rate than that individual would have received on unemployment. This commonsense legislation is a win for the unemployed, for employers, and for taxpayers. I urge Members to support the underlying bill and to oppose any effort to limit this initiative.
