Obama Signs Unemployment Benefits Extension

(Published July 26, 2010)

 

President Obama has signed a six-month extension of emergency jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. 

 

The extension revives a program that provides up to 99 weeks of income support to those who have lost their jobs in the recession and retroactively restores benefits to those whose payments were cut off at the program's expiration in early June.

 

Said the President: "I signed the unemployment insurance extension to restore desperately needed assistance to two and a half million Americans who lost their jobs in the recession....Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times.  Now it's time for Congress to act on more proposals that support our economic recovery, including passing critical aid to our states and support to small businesses."