Noting the urgency of the situation regarding those still unemployed as a direct result of the 9/11 attack, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the only New York City member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today lauded the Committee for voting out a bill that would extend benefits for those unemployed.  The legislation was identical to HR 3593, drafted by Rep. Nadler in December, 2001.

“This legislation is urgent, as DUA benefits will terminate in mid-March,” said Rep. Nadler.  “Without this extension, thousands of victims of the attack on our country will be left without any help in an economy that has been devastated not only by our current national economic crisis but also by the disaster of 9/11.  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.”

The legislation will extend, by 26 weeks, Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).  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. Currently the number of people who are receiving DUA stands at 2,500.  The House committee passed the Senate version of the legislation sponsored by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) to ensure that should the full House pass it, it will go directly to the President for his signature.

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