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Reed-Durbin Amendment

By: Jack Reed
By: Jack Reed
Date: Jan. 22, 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Government Budget and Spending

Mr. REED. Madam President, before recognizing my colleague, Senator Durbin, let me say the Reed-Durbin amendment would provide up to 1 million Americans who are long-term unemployed and were not assisted by the January 8 amendment we passed. This would be a positive stimulus for our economy. These benefits would be paid out until the economy came back and then automatically stop. It also recognizes the structural changes. The high-tech meltdown and the exodus of manufacturing have left many people without jobs. They need our help now.

Our economy is in distress. We have to help these hard-working Americans. We cannot wait any longer because as we wait, they invade their 401(k)s, they extend their credit cards, they do anything to make ends meet. We should help them now.

I yield the remainder of my time to the Senator from Illinois.

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