Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced his support of the unemployment insurance extension, recognizing the challenging economic climate and the increased difficulty hardworking people are facing when trying to find another job.  The bill passed this evening.  Johnson released the following statement:

Our nation’s top economists have said that we are pulling out of one of the longest, deepest recessions our country has faced since the Great Depression and that the economy is improving.  However, it is clear that while the growth rates have increased, the job sector has lagged as has been the case in past recessions.  I was glad to see that the measure was broadened, so that it would extend the 14 additional weeks to unemployed workers in all 50 states.  Without this vital extension, more than 1,500 South Dakotans are expected to exhaust their unemployment benefits by December. This extension will help people make ends meet while they continue to look for employment as the economy continues to expand.