For Immediate Release                                       Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
January 8, 2003

House Votes to Extend Unemployment Benefits

Today Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA38) joined her colleagues in voting for S. 23 a bill that provides a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance benefits. “This extension will help millions of Americans and is long overdue,” noted the Congresswoman. “The national unemployment rate is currently 6%. Unemployment in my district is consistently higher than the national average, so this is of great importance to my constituents,” Napolitano continued.

“My Democratic colleagues and I pushed to extend unemployment benefits in December. Unfortunately, the GOP’s delay in action caused 800,000 Americans’ benefits to expire on December 28. Thankfully, they extension we passed today will reinstate their benefits,” said Napolitano.

“While I supported this 13-week extension, I preferred the Democratic alternative which would have guaranteed all jobless workers at least 26 weeks of extended benefits and expanded coverage to part-time and low-wage employees,” the Congresswoman said. “Today’s vote was a good first step, but there is still much work to be done to help our unemployed workers survive during this difficult economic time and ultimately help them find new jobs,” Napolitano continued.

The Senate has already passed S. 23, and it is expected to be signed by President Bush.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
1609 Longworth Building          Washington, DC 20515          Phone 202-225-5256          Fax 202-225-0027		11627 East Telegraph Road, #100       Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670       Phone 562-801-2134       Fax 562-949-9144
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