TRENTON – Senator Fred Madden (D – Gloucester, Camden), chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, issued the following statement today regarding both houses of Congress approving a deal to extend unemployment benefits to the end of 2012:
“The bipartisan deal struck today is a great example of what can happen when legislators put aside their differences and work in the best interests of the people. By extending unemployment benefits, we are providing a safety net for millions of people who have fallen on hard times.
“We know the problem all too well in New Jersey. While national unemployment has gone down substantially over the last few months, New Jersey’s has remained largely unchanged. Hundreds of thousands of people in our state are still seeking employment. They are good, hard working folks who want to be back in the labor force but have fallen victim to the economy. While they keep searching, they need these benefits to keep a roof over their head and to help feed their family.
“The Labor Committee will continue to examine ways to get people back to work in New Jersey, and we hope Congress will continue to work together in the best interests of the nation.”