As the unemployment rate reaches a fifteen-year high, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill applauded the passage of a bill in the United States Senate today to increase unemployment benefits. Over the past year, the U.S. economy has lost 1.2 million jobs, almost half in the last three months alone. States are facing budget shortfalls, and many families are struggling to meet basic needs.
“As we approach the holiday season with a weak economy, too many Missouri families are going to find themselves in a financial crunch,” said McCaskill. “This funding will help those hurting most by the economic downturn keep their heads above water, and I’m glad to say we got it done before Congress goes home for the holiday.”
The bill passed today will grant unemployment benefits for an additional seven weeks for those who lost their jobs and already exhausted their benefits. For states that have been hit particularly hard by the economic slowdown and have unemployment rates higher than 6 percent, including Missouri with 6.4 percent unemployment, the bill provides an additional 13 weeks in benefits. Thus Missourians will qualify for an additional 20 weeks of unemployment benefits.
The House of Representatives already passed a version of the bill so the legislation will now go to the President for his signature or veto.
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