Pelosi Statement on EPI Report on How Unemployment Insurance Creates Jobs and Strengthens the Economy

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on a new report from the Economic Policy Institute documenting how unemployment benefits create jobs and strengthen the economy. According to the EPI’s analysis, unemployment benefits were responsible for creating 1.1 million jobs since the recession started, increasing the number of hours worked by those who already have jobs, and adding 1.7 percent to the gross domestic product:

“Today’s report sends a clear message: unemployment benefits not only protect those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own; we now have clear evidence that the benefits have led to more jobs, higher wages, and a stronger economy. These investments put money in the hands of Americans who need it most and will spend it, injecting demand into the economy and generating business for local companies.

“Democrats recognize the urgent need to do everything possible to keep our economy on the road to recovery. But Senate Republicans have blocked these job-creating benefits, denying help for 2.5 million workers and their families and the spin-off jobs for other Americans these benefits are proven to create. They apparently aren’t worried about putting people back to work. Their objective is obstruction – and every day they refuse to act, they risk America’s recovery. Congressional Republicans need to stop blaming hard-working Americans and work with Democrats to strengthen our economy and support our middle class.”