Congressman Patrick McHenry announced today that he voted to extend benefits for jobless workers.  The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 6867) would extend benefits by an extra 7 weeks in all states and an additional 13 weeks in states like North Carolina who have unemployment rates above 6%.  North Carolina’s unemployment rate has risen to 6.9%.  Having passed the House of Representatives, the bill can now be considered by the Senate.

“The painful effects of unfair trade deals continue to be felt in Western North Carolina.  With so many of our jobs being sent to China, it is critical that we provide the support our displaced workers need to get back on their feet,” said Congressman McHenry.

This marks the second time this year that Congressman McHenry has voted to extend benefits for jobless workers.  On June 12th, he was one of only 49 Republicans to vote for the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act (H.R. 5749), which extended benefits by an additional 13 weeks.  The bill was signed into law on June 30th as part of the supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 2642).

NOTE: Congressman McHenry was one of 27 Republicans to vote against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (H.R. 3045, 109th Congress).

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