News Releases for December 2002
December 16, 2002
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Hoeven Calls For Disaster Aid, Joins President Bush In Call For Extended Unemployment Benefits
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today joined President Bush in urging Congress to make an extension of benefits for the nation's unemployed a priority when lawmakers return to Washington in January.
Benefits for about 750,000 jobless Americans are scheduled to expire on December 28, 2002, but the President called for the extension to apply retroactively. North Dakota's unemployment rate stood at 2.4 percent in October, less than half the national rate. About 1,400 of the state's jobless workers will lose between one and 11 weeks of benefits.
"Extending unemployment benefits is not only an act of compassion, but also a fiscal stimulus at a time when the economy needs a boost," Hoeven said. "The President has made his appeal, and now it's up to Congress to find common ground and follow through."
Congress passed an extension of jobless benefits five times during the 1990s, most recently in March 2002.
At the same time, Hoeven again called on Congress to pass comprehensive disaster aid for farmers and ranchers in the grips of drought and flooding. Hoeven has regularly contacted and met with senior White House officials and congressional leaders to push for a relief package.
"There could be no better economic stimulus for the Midwest than a disaster aid package that helps farmers and ranchers get back on their feet," Hoeven said. "This money would benefit not only producers, but also retailers in our small rural communities that depend on the farm sector for their livelihoods.
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