WASHINGTON, DC- After a failed attempt yesterday in the Senate to pass an extension of unemployment benefits to give laid off workers in Pennsylvania an additional 20 weeks of benefits, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) urged quick action to pass robust benefits for workers who have exhausted or will soon exhaust their unemployment benefits.
“Almost 23,000 Pennsylvanians have already exhausted their unemployment benefits and, according to one estimate, by the end of the year that number could reach 60,000,” said Senator Casey. “Pennsylvanians who have been out of work and are struggling to pay the bills can’t afford to sit around while Washington continues to debate and stall. The Senate must act to stop the delays and pass an extension. And when the bill goes to conference with the House, I hope that the House will agree to the more robust Senate proposal that includes an additional seven weeks of benefits for Pennsylvania. If further encouragement is needed they should listen to economists who remind us that unemployment benefits not only help the recipient, but they also help the economy as whole as more dollars are spent in local businesses.”
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