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House to Unemployed: October 21, 2002 As their last action in a spectacularly unimpressive session, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives left Washington yesterday after rejecting relief for working families. The party line vote erased any hope of an extension in unemployment benefits until Thanksgiving. The economic stimulus legislation, sponsored by House Democrats, included a $1.50 an hour hike in the federal minimum wage and a $4 billion highway spending increase. The vote comes three weeks before the election, and legislators were anxious to get home to campaign. While the overwhelming majority of House members are not threatened by serious challenges, control of Congress depends on the outcome of a few close races. While the House and the Senate remain up for grabs, nearly 1.5 million people have been out of work for more than six months, up 80 percent from a year ago. "Our Congress threw away the chance to put money in the hands of those who need it, but their actions have consequences," said IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill. "They will answer to voters in November."
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