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Wilson Encourages Colleagues to Support Unemployment Benefit Extension through Unused Stimulus Funds ?Ç“ No Debt Increase

July 22, 2010
Press Release
Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) today urged his colleagues to support extending unemployment benefits by using unused stimulus funds. Wilson thanks Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) for putting forward an amendment to fully pay for extended unemployment benefits and COBRA premium assistance with unobligated stimulus monies. Unfortunately, Washington liberals blocked this common-sense and cost-saving amendment from even coming to the floor; Wilson urges Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reconsider this obstruction.

"Hardworking Americans who have paid taxes for years and years now find themselves needing some assistance in these tough economic times. At the same time, Americans understand that we cannot continue to pile up more debt that will leave our children and grandchildren in even worse shape. A common-sense solution to this challenge was presented today as an amendment to fully pay for an extension of unemployment benefits by using unused stimulus funds.

"Unemployment hovers around 10% and 3 million private sector jobs have been lost since the so-called stimulus bill was signed into law. Given this dismal-at-best progress, it is no wonder a new CBS poll shows that 74% of Americans believe that the stimulus has had NO impact or has made things worse. Using unused stimulus funds to extend unemployment benefits would finally be something of a success for this inefficient ‘stimulus' bill.

"Unfortunately, this cost-savings proposal was obstructed by Washington liberals who continue their spending spree on a borrowed credit card.

"I encourage Speaker Pelosi to stop blocking common-sense, cost-saving proposals and let members of Congress vote on this amendment that is a worthwhile use of unused stimulus funds," said Congressman Joe Wilson.

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