WASHINGTON -- Noting the urgency of the situation regarding those still unemployed as a direct result of the 9/11 attack, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), at a press conference today announced introduction of a bill that would extend benefits for those unemployed, by 13 weeks.  The legislation is identical to a bill introduced on Monday by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).  He was joined at the announcement by Sen. Clinton and representatives of the AFL-CIO.

"This legislation is urgent, as Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are beginning to run out," said Rep. Nadler.  "Just as we have seen on the news every night that the war on terrorism is not over, neither is the recovery effort for many people in New York City.  While we cannot make people whole from the effects of the devastating attacks of 9/11, we must do all we can to ease the transition of these individuals from tragedy back to a normal life."

DUA is extended only to those individuals who lost their jobs as a direct result of the September 11th terrorist attack but do not qualify for normal unemployment insurance. According to the New York State Department of Labor, 105,000 people were on unemployment insurance as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks. Of these individuals, nearly 24,000 are still on unemployment. Another nearly 7,000 individuals have exhausted all of the unemployment benefits and still found no job. And last week, the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program expired, ending benefits for 1,100 people.  Rep. Nadler’s bill would help those 1,100.

Rep. Nadler has served in Congress since 1992.  He represents the 8th Congressional District of New York, which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

As you may recall, along with Senator Clinton and Congressman Jack Quinn, I passed legislation to extend DUA by 13 weeks at the beginning of this year. DUA is extended only to those individuals that lost their job as a direct result of the September 11th terrorist attack but do not qualify for normal unemployment insurance. Currently the number of people who are receiving DUA stands at 1,100, down from 2,500 only a few months ago.
 
These individuals overwhelmingly held blue collar jobs and are the lowest paid in our economy.  They include hotel workers, janitors, and window washers.  They are the most vulnerable in our society and thus, most in need of our help.  Funding for this program is already in place by way of last years supplemental appropriation that was made for New York disaster relief.  
 
The urgency for this legislation is clear as DUA benefits have  terminated.  Without this extension thousands of people will be left to fend for themselves in an economy that has been devastated not only by our current national economic crisis, but by the disaster of 9/11.  While we cannot make anyone whole from the devastating attacks of 9/11, we must do all we can to ease the transition of these individuals from tragedy back to a normal existence.
 
I want again to thank Senator Clinton for initiating this legislation and for bringing us together today.  I am looking forward to working with everyone to ensure that the working class of New York and the country are given a soft landing in today’s hard times.