McHugh Votes to Help Workers in New York Receive Extended Unemployment Benefits

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Congressman John M. McHugh (R- Pierrepont Manor) released the following statement today after voting for the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act, H.R. 5749. The bill passed the House by a vote of 274-137. Congressman McHugh was one of 49 Republicans to vote for the bill.

“I cannot overstate the importance of doing what we can to help the people of Northern and Central New York when skyrocketing energy and gas prices, rising food costs, and high unemployment are all severely straining the resources of families across the region. This bill I voted for today in the House would provide some measure of relief to individuals who are unemployed by giving them extended temporary unemployment benefits. Out of the eleven counties in my Congressional District, nine have unemployment rates of over six percent, with one additional – Hamilton County – having the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent, a full four points over the national average. New Yorkers need this benefit.

“I am committed to continuing my efforts to further economic development in our region through real solutions that will lower energy prices and by fighting to keep federal taxes from rising. In the meantime, however, this attempt to temporarily extend unemployment benefits is regrettably necessary. Unquestionably, leadership in the Congress needs to do more, and I will continue to work toward passing legislation that will help my constituents.

“Simply put, many individuals, families, and seniors across the 23rd District have stretched their budgets as far as they possibly can go. This bill would give workers an extended safety net that might provide just enough relief to allow a family to be able to continue to put food on the table through a period of unemployment.”

The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act would temporarily extend benefits for those who have exhausted their current 26 weeks of unemployment compensation benefits. It would provide an additional 13 weeks in all states and add another 13 weeks, for a total of 52 weeks of eligibility, in states with high unemployment levels. Now that the bill has passed the House, it will be sent to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate also passes the legislation, it will be sent to the President for his approval.

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