Legislation Increases Benefits for Jobless, Provides Funding to States
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced legislation to continue the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) program for an additional six months of unemployment benefits to out-of-work Oregonians. Oregon has had one of the highest unemployment rates in the country for the past year.
"We are beginning to see signs of improvement in the Oregon's economy, but there are still too many people out of work," said Smith. "We can't leave families out on a limb while they are looking for jobs. This bill will help them provide for their basic needs while making their job searches a little easier."
The Workers Assistance Extension Act would extend unemployment benefits that will expire on December 31, 2003. The bill extends the current unemployment insurance program through June 30, 2004, with a phase out until September 30, 2004. The legislation will allow dislocated workers to receive 13 weeks of benefits in all states and an additional 13 weeks for workers who live in states with high unemployment rates.
In October of 2001, Smith introduced the Temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2001, which was signed into law in February 2002. In addition, Smith introduced unemployment extension legislation in September 2002, January 2003, and April 2003.
