WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-1) voted to provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to workers in states like Tennessee where the unemployment rate exceeds 8.5 percent. This legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 331-83.

“In states with high unemployment, it is much more difficult for people to find new jobs, despite months of searching,” said Roe. “Extending unemployment benefits during an economic downturn is necessary to help families through the economic recovery and strengthen the economy itself. This legislation will help ensure that Tennesseans can continue providing for their families – paying for groceries, filling their cars with gas, and making their mortgage payments on time – which will also continue to boost the economy.”

Long-term unemployment has hit its highest rate since measuring began in 1948, with five million Americans out of work for more than six months. Over 300,000 jobless workers are expected to run out of unemployment compensation by the end of September.

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