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December 9, 2013

Jobless Rate Hits 5-Year Low; Obama Seeks Extension of Jobless Benefits 
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New figures show the official U.S. unemployment rate has hit a five-year
low of 7 percent. Employers added 203,000 jobs in November, higher than
expected. In his weekly address, President Obama urged Republican
lawmakers to back an extension of unemployment benefits for those
seeking work.

President Obama: "Extending unemployment insurance isn't just the right
thing to do for our families; it's the smart thing to do for our
economy. And it shouldn't be a partisan issue. For decades, Congress has
voted to offer relief to job seekers, including when the unemployment
rate was lower than it is today. But now that economic lifeline is in
jeopardy, all because Republicans in this Congress, which is on track to
be the most unproductive in history, have so far refused to extend it.
So this holiday season, let's give our fellow Americans who are
desperately looking for work the help they need to keep on looking."

An extension of jobless benefits would come as part of a new budget
bill, which faces a deadline of mid-January.

 

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