01.07.03

Senate passes unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed legislation coauthored by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) extending federal unemployment benefits through the end of May. If the House passes the legislation and President Bush signs it by Thursday, approximately 100,000 Washingtonians and over one million Americans will continue to receive benefits without interruption.

Without an extension, Washington state would have covered workers cut off from federal benefits through 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.

"Unemployment benefits provide an economic lifeline for American families struggling to find work and boost an economy in need of stimulus," Cantwell said. "The House should quickly send this legislation to the President for his signature to ensure these benefits continue uninterrupted."

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 failed to pass.

The legislation extends the extension to May 31, 2003. The extension had expired on December 28, 2002. 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 Democratic party caucus, wrote an op-ed in the Seattle Times, personally lobbied her colleagues, and met with labor, economic, and business leaders from Washington state 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.