WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Susan Collins released this statement today following her vote in favor of proceeding to debate legislation that would extend unemployment insurance benefits for three months.
"I understand how important unemployment insurance is to those who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are searching for work but are unable to find it. Today's vote to proceed provides us time to debate the bill and to find the funds that could pay for the extension of benefits.
"Congress and the President also must work together to examine ways to redesign the program to better incorporate job training programs to help people find jobs in fields where jobs do exist. I have met with many business owners in Maine who have jobs available but cannot find qualified and trained workers to fill these vacant positions. That is why I am the lead cosponsor of the bipartisan Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success (SECTORS) Act, which would address the disparity between high unemployment rates and a shortage of skilled workers for many emerging industries at the regional level. This bill would help better align America's workforce training programs with the needs of our nation's employers to promote hiring and the creation of new jobs."