Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule for the consideration of H.R. 4213, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act.  This bill provides a critical boost to more than 2.5 million Americans across the nation, including 6,000 Rhode Islanders, who are struggling to find employment.  Not only that, but for every dollar spent on unemployment benefits, $1.90 is put back into the economy.  

These benefits are crucial for working families as they search for new opportunities in a tight job market.  In my home state of Rhode Island, we have the country’s fourth highest unemployment rate at 12 percent.  Through Recovery funds, we have recently implemented Jobs Now RI, a job training program that in just the past two months has successfully put more than 300 Rhode Islanders back to work. 

I recently met with some of these workers at Capco Steel in my district.  A couple had been out of work for a few months, while for others this was their first job in a few years.  This visit reminded me that as Members of Congress, we have the obligation to not only help create jobs, but also give hard-working Americans another chance to continue their job search and provide for their families.  I encourage my colleagues to pass this bill to help those who are most vulnerable during these trying times.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I yield back my time.