RAHALL EXTENDING A HAND TO SOME OF THE 3.2 MILLION WHO LOST JOBS UNDER THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
Rahall Press Release
WASHINGTON, DC - With a study suggesting that the 3.2 million people who have lost their jobs under the Bush Administration are going to have a harder time getting their jobs back, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) is fighting for those who have lost their unemployment benefits.

"The fact that this Nation lost over three million jobs since President Bush took office, and that many will lose the unemployment benefits they need to keep food on their plates alone is bad enough, but under this Administration it gets much, much worse," Rahall said.  "According to a study in the August issue of Current Issues in Economics and Finance, almost 80% of the jobs that have been lost since the President took office are permanent.  It is a figure that is drastically worse than had been the case in previous economic downturns of the mid-1970's and early 1980's."

Rahall added, "This finding should shock every business and every worker in the Nation.  It is time for this Administration and its Republican cronies in Congress to wake up and see that the unemployment problem cannot be fixed with rhetoric and smoke and mirrors.  It is time we extend a hand to those who need it."

Congressman Rahall has thrown his support towards a bill that will extend unemployment benefits for all dislocated workers.  The legislation would continue the extended benefits program for an additional six months, increase the amount of benefits to 26 weeks, include coverage to those who have already exhausted their extended benefits, and expand coverage for low-wage and part-time workers.

"We have lost over three million jobs in less than three years, and those are the ones we are able to count.  Who knows how many more are out there uncounted?" Rahall asked.  "And, what is worse is that our Nation is turning its back on those we do know about."

Rahall added, "The silence of the Republican leadership and its lack of support for unemployment benefits to millions of Americans thrown out of work during the Republican reign of ruinous indifference to families and livelihoods is deafening."