Contact: Andy Leavitt 810.625.0861

Kildee Fights to Extend Unemployment Benefits for

Michigan Workers

Bill will provide retroactive payments to an estimated 104,000 families in Michigan who lost benefits due to Senate stalling

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) voted to extend unemployment benefits for workers in Michigan and across America. H.R.4213, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, will extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits programs through November 30, 2010.  It will also provide retroactive payments from June 2, 2010 for an estimated 2.5 million American families who lost benefits due to Senate stalling.  This legislation passed the House 272 to 152 with Congressman Kildee’s strong support and now goes to the President to be signed into law

 “While families in my district struggled to put food on the table and stay in their homes, some of my Senate colleagues blocked the benefits that were helping them make ends meet. Too many hardworking Americans have lost their jobs because of the economic downturn and through no fault of their own. I find it shocking that some of my colleagues would spend weeks blocking these necessary benefits to an estimated 2.5 million families, cutting off this critical lifeline.

As we continue our work to revitalize our economy and create new jobs in our communities, we must support our families as they struggle to get through this difficult time.  The fastest way to stimulate the economy is through unemployment benefits because that money is put right back into the economy. I proudly voted to extend unemployment benefits to families in Michigan and throughout our country – I will never turn my back on these families,” said Congressman Kildee.