posted November 20, 2008
Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander today voted in support of legislation to extend federal unemployment benefits for up to an additional 20 weeks. The Senate passed H.R. 6867, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008, by a vote of 89-6.
Sen. Corker said, “During these times of economic distress the additional benefits we passed today will help many unemployed Tennesseans as they continue to look for jobs and get back on their feet. I was happy to join a broad, bipartisan group in support of this legislation.”
Sen. Alexander said, "“Right now, Tennessee is suffering from the highest unemployment rate we’ve had since 1987. This measure could provide up to thirteen additional weeks of unemployment benefits to workers in Tennessee who have lost their jobs for reasons outside of their control, giving them more time to find new jobs during this tough economic time.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee’s unemployment rate is currently at 7.2 percent, which (along with Ohio) is the 7th highest in the country.
The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 6867) passed the Senate by a vote of 89-6. It passed the House of Representatives last month and now goes to the president for his signature.
The legislation provided an additional seven weeks of federal extended unemployment benefits and an additional 13 weeks of federal extended benefits in states experiencing high unemployment levels.
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