Earl Blumenauer: “Oregon's highest unemployment rate in the Nation gives me more than 139,800 reasons to be concerned. This extension is…”

“Oregon's highest unemployment rate in the Nation gives me more than 139,800 reasons to be concerned. This extension is one of the most important things we can do to help people in my State. It is ironic that the bill to extend these benefits is being debated on the same day as we are poised to pass a massive tax cut. The contrast between the economic effect of the two pieces of legislation and the people they benefit are stark. Each new dollar in the unemployment benefits program quickly boosts the economy by $1.73, while the cut in dividend taxes enriches the economy by only 9 cents per dollar. Republican leadership priorities are made clear when it takes an extraordinary effort to extend $6.5 billion in benefits for those struggling to find work, while approving $350 billion--sure to be a trillion dollars if the authors of the tax cut have their way--in tax cuts that, in large part, benefit the wealthiest and worsen our ever spiraling national deficit. After fighting for this extension for months I'm pleased we will pass this legislation before benefits expire this weekend, but it is once again, too little too late. What about the thousands of Oregonians who have had their benefits lapse? They will not be eligible for any benefits under this legislation. The Democratic substitute, which will not be allowed under the restrictive rule for debate today, would have assisted these workers.”