Sen. Carper Touts Passage of Unemployment Benefits Extension

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to extend long-term unemployment insurance for millions of Americans looking for work.

 “I voted today to extend emergency unemployment benefits that would benefit the more than 2.7 million Americans and 6,000 Delawareans who have been without the crucial help they need for the past three months. Although we have been making progress in strengthening our economy, unemployment is still far too high nationally and in Delaware. This extension gives some economic certainty to struggling families while they continue to look for work and it gives Congress the time it needs to work on a long-term solution.

 “I have supported previous reforms to this program, including ensuring that states with the highest rates of unemployment received the most assistance, taking common sense steps to reduce fraud, and making sure states are doing everything possible to help people find jobs. Congress has a history of working together to renew this emergency assistance program since the economic recession began. Now should be no different. I am hopeful that the House will do what is right and bring this legislation up for a vote.”