WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman André Carson today joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in voting for legislation that will extend unemployment assistance to those American workers who have lost their jobs as a result of our slowing economy.  H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 passed by a 274 to 137 vote margin.

“With unemployment rising, gas prices soaring, and food prices climbing to all-time highs, it is imperative that this New Direction Congress continue to do all it can to help hardworking Americans struggling to find work and provide for their dependent loved ones,” said Congressman André Carson.  “Passage of this legislation comes at a very important time as scores of working Americans in my home state of Indiana are recovering from the recent onslaught of tornados, thunderstorms, and floods that have destroyed or severely interrupted the productivity of several small businesses, manufacturing plants, and agribusinesses.” 

H.R. 5749 would benefit 3.8 million unemployed Americans -- providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits.  In states with higher levels of unemployment (six percent or higher), an additional 13 weeks would be available, for a total of 26 weeks of extended benefits.

For the fifth straight month, the economy lost jobs and unemployment rose from 5.0% in April to 5.5% in May.  The economy has lost nearly 325,000 jobs this year and 8.5 million Americans are unemployed.