Senators Reed and Kerry want to remove penalty for workers on unemployment who took temporary jobs

New England Democrats are trying to build bipartisan support in Congress to change a federal law that slashes the benefits of workers who take low-paying part-time or temporary jobs while collecting unemployment.
< snip - after failing to get it in the Senate Jobs bill,>
Reed and Kerry, both Democrats, still hope to make the change as legislators work out the differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill, according to staff. Failing that, they will seek to insert the provision to other legislation that is moving through Congress.
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Thousands of laid-off workers seeking to renew their benefits for a second year, not uncommon during this recession, were shocked to learn of the penalty for performing some alternate work while looking for a permanent job. When they do, their benefits are recalculated based on the low pay from the part-time or temporary work.
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“It defies common sense to penalize workers for taking part-time jobs when it is the only choice they have to get the bills paid,’’ Kerry said in a statement. “The last time I checked, we were supposed to be standing by people who get up every day, hunt for work, and do what it takes to help their families.’’
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/03/12/ne_democrats_seek_to_fix_unemployment_glitch/