Unemployment bill sponsored by Porter set for vote

Benjamin Grove

Thursday, March 6, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The first bill introduced by freshman Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev. -- legislation that offers unemployed workers $3,000 for job hunting expenses -- is speeding its way through the House, thanks in large part to White House backing.

The bill would create $3,000 accounts for job-seeking expenses only, such as transportation, child care, career counseling or computer training. As an incentive, workers could keep the remainder of the money if they find a job within 13 weeks.

The bill on Wednesday passed its third test in the legislative process when the House Education and Workforce Committee approved it, setting up a full House vote.

The bill still faces its biggest hurdles, including Senate consideration, but Porter said he was optimistic the GOP-controlled House soon would approve the legislation as part of a larger economic stimulus plan backed by President Bush.

Porter's bill has progressed relatively quickly through the legislative process since its introduction Jan. 29, compared to many bills that languish in Congress for months awaiting subcommittee hearings. That's mostly because Education and Workforce Committee chairman Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, tapped Porter to sponsor the bill. With an eye already on the 2004 elections, GOP leaders have identified Porter as one of a number of freshman lawmakers they want to give high-profile roles.

"This bill's very important to the White House, and it's important to the (GOP) leadership and the chairman (Boehner)," Porter said. "And it's important to me and to Nevada."

The committee approved Porter's bill after several failed attempts by Democrats to amend it, including one that would have effectively killed the bill. Democrats are likely to continue to try to amend the legislation.

They say Porter's legislation is designed to help future unemployed workers but not those unemployed now. Democrats also note that the bill's $3.6 billion price tag was not factored into the budget Bush sent to Congress last month.