01.08.03

President signs Cantwell's bipartisan unemployment benefits extension

Senate passed Fitzgerald-Clinton-Nickles-Cantwell Bill on Tuesday, House passed it on Wednesday

WASHINGTON, DC - President Bush today signed Senator Maria Cantwell's (D-WA) legislation extending federal unemployment benefits through the end of May. The legislation has been Cantwell's top priority over the last few months.

"These unemployment benefits will boost an economy in need of stimulus and deliver an economic lifeline for Americans struggling to find work," Cantwell said.

Key Facts:

Without an extension, Washington state would have covered workers cut off from federal benefits through state-funded extended benefits, costing the state $6.1 million per week. If the House passes and the President signs the Senate bill, Washington state's beleaguered unemployment trust fund will save approximately $134 million during the twenty-two week period covered by the legislation.

The legislation extends the program to May 31, 2003. The original legislation providing extended benefits had expired on December 28, 2002.

Currently, 44,000 people in Washington state will receive Temporary Federal Supplemental Benefits.

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) played a leadership role in coauthoring and securing passage of the legislation. Cantwell co-authored the bill with Senators Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Don Nickles (R-OK). In November, the Senators passed similar legislation that the House refused to pass.

The emergency federal unemployment benefits extension has been Senator Cantwell's top priority for end of the 107th Congress and the beginning of the 108th Congress. Cantwell delivered the Democratic radio address, spoke on the floor and in the Democratic party caucus, wrote an op-ed in the Seattle Times, personally lobbied her colleagues, and met with Washington state and national labor, economic, and business leaders to build support for the extension.

Current Law: State administered UI systems generally provide up to 26 weeks of regular benefits. Washington provides 30 weeks. Typically, UI benefits are limited to 50 to 60 percent of a worker's after-tax earnings. The average unemployment check is $318 a week and the maximum is $496.