Helping the Emergency at Home

President Bush has signed a humane bill that extends, in theory, unemployment checks for jobless Americans who have exhausted their benefits. But those who are out of work won’t get a dime unless Bush declares an emergency to activate the additional relief.

So far, Bush has indicated that he does not want to put yet another budget-busting drain on the beleaguered treasury. Extending jobless benefits could cost as much as $5.6 billion over five years.

The President has a duty to hold the line on spending that requires even more borrowing and further pumps up record deficits. Bush is also obligated in light of a pragmatic budget agreement to finance new programs by a tax increase or spending cuts or through presidential declaration of an emergency. But Bush also has a duty to provide for true emergencies--like prolonged joblessness for more than 1 million Americans.

The President has declared emergencies to help the governments of Israel, Turkey, Egypt and Poland. He has also done so to provide aid to starving Kurds and homeless Bangladeshi families. What about the plight of unemployed Americans?

Instead of offering a few more unemployment checks, Bush offers reassurances that the economy is recovering. Things may get better in the long run, but that prediction means nothing to the man or a woman who cannot find a job.

How many millions of Americans must be out of work before Bush acts? How many must exhaust their unemployment checks to persuade the President? How many must face foreclosure or go on welfare--another, and perhaps more permanent, drain on the federal economy?

By declaring an emergency, Bush can provide up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment in states with an average unemployment rate of 8% of higher during the last six months. There would be up to 13 additional weeks of benefits in California and other states with an average jobless rate of at least 7%; and fewer additional checks in states with lower jobless rates.

Veterans--including those returning from the Persian Gulf--would qualify for 26 weeks of unemployment, double the current allotment, while they search for a job.

President Bush should declare the emergency to invest in Americans who want and need to work.