For Immediate Release

Contact:
Judith Whitmarsh
Director of Public Policy
judy_whitmarsh@ccab.org

Join Catholic Charities to urge Congress to extend jobless benefits and promote long-term job growth

WHAT:
UI and COBRA: While Congress has passed several short-term extensions of expanded UI and COBRA subsidies, they have failed to pass a long-term fix. The current extension expires at the end of May. Congress must not let these benefits lapse again and should take immediate action to sufficiently fund UI and subsidized COBRA coverage through the end of 2010. With the national unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, these federal programs, which unemployed workers can access after they have exhausted the 26 weeks of state benefits, are critically important.
TANF Emergency Fund: Without Congressional action, the TANF Emergency Fund will run out on September 30, 2010. During this critical time, states are using the TANF Emergency Fund to develop initiatives which help more low-income families find training and employment opportunities. The TANF Emergency Fund needs to be extended for another year so that states can continue to meet the needs of low-income families during these difficult economic times.
Youth Summer Jobs Program: In March, the House of Representatives passed "Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act of 2010" (H.R.4869). The measure would provide $600 million for a youth summer jobs program and would support an estimated 300,000 jobs, specifically for minorities and disadvantaged young people.
The youth unemployment rate is at an all-time high, holding steady at 25 percent.  The Senate must take action to provide job opportunities for young people, especially those hit by extreme levels of unemployment.  
Promoting Job Growth in Local Communities: There are provisions in the "Local Jobs for America Act" (H.R. 4812) which will help revive the economy in local communities in two important ways. These provisions would provide employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of workers who are jobless, and at the same time provide critical public safety and social services that local communities greatly need. The legislation would provide resources to community-based organizations to hire new employees to fulfill local needs. Congress must take immediate action to promote job growth in our local communities.

 

Several pieces of legislation are stalled in Congress that would provide supports to dislocated workers and promote long-term job growth.  Congress must take swift action to approve these measures. Congress created the TANF Emergency Fund in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This program provides $5 billion in emergency funding to states to help create employment opportunities for low-income families, provide cash assistance to needy families, and/or provide one-time emergency benefits for families in need.

Email your Senators and Representative TODAY and ask them to:

To find out who your Representative is, visit www.wheredoivotema.com. For a list of Representatives and their contact information, please click here.