Berkley pushes measure to extend unemployment

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 | 11:24 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley and other House Democrats are pushing for Congress to consider a bill that would extend federal unemployment benefits for six months before lawmakers go home for the year.

Federal unemployment benefits are set to expire Dec. 31, when Congress is expected to be on recess.

"Congress must not adjourn without making sure that millions of unemployed workers continue to receive help while they search for work," Berkley, D-Nev., said this morning.

Based on House committee estimates, 36,000 Nevadans would benefit from the extension. About 17,000 will use up their unemployment insurance between January and June 2004, with another 19,000 losing benefits between today and March 2004.

"Extending unemployment benefits not only helps families facing a job loss in Las Vegas, but it is also an effective way to bring back the economy and create new employment opportunities," Berkley said in a statement.

Berkley added her name this morning to the call for immediate consideration for the extension bill.

The bill would double the number of consecutive weeks to 26 for collection of unemployment checks. It also would include coverage for roughly one million workers who have already exhausted their extended benefits and would expand unemployment insurance coverage for low-wage and part-time workers, according to Berkley's office.

The bill was introduced earlier this month and Democrats are trying to get the 218 signatures needed to force the bill to the floor for a vote.

Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., said the petition was "premature," noting that a bill he introduced earlier this year to provide an extra $3,000 per person to pay for training and other services to help the unemployed find jobs required only a floor vote. His bill was part of President Bush's jobs package.

There's still a month left in the congressional session, he said. "What's more important is that we help people get back to work."