Camp said in support of the bill: “We want to help provide those looking for work to survive the downturn. For residents of counties in my district like Clare, whose unemployment rate is 16.8 percent, or Montcalm at 17.6 percent, these extended benefits are a necessary lifeline. This is about helping American families right now. With nearly half our states at double-digit unemployment, it’s clear the Democrats’ stimulus plan has failed to create jobs. I have asked since February, ‘Where are the jobs?’ The Democrats’ plan is not working.  Until our economy is back on track and actually creating jobs, we must provide help to those who cannot find jobs.”

The bill is expected to be signed into law by the President as early as tomorrow.

The bill:

·        Extends unemployment by 20 weeks, to 99 weeks.

·        Extends and expands homebuyer tax credits, including extending the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers to April 30, 2010.

·        Helps businesses through a tax credit that will help them reinvest back in their companies – and American workers and our economy.

Earlier this year, Camp warned that the President’s stimulus plan would be slow to take effect and that spending wouldn’t create anything but additional deficit. Camp instead proposed a plan that would create twice the jobs at half the cost. And as unemployment rates continue to rise, he has repeated the call to repeal the current stimulus and instead proposes giving every working family immediate tax relief, and focus on helping small businesses which will immediately help turn around the unemployment rate.

“Americans need immediate relief. We need more jobs, not more unemployment checks. I ask, again, ‘Where are the jobs?’” Camp said.

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