Washington, D.C. – Today, Dean of the U.S. House of Representatives, John D. Dingell (D-MI15) joined with nearly 70 members of Congress to request that the House and the Senate leadership immediately approve a long-term extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

“During these tough economic times, we must not allow eager unemployed workers who are desperately trying to get back on the job to just ‘slip through the cracks’ as the Nation continues to move forward,” said Dingell. “I call upon my Republican colleagues to bring this important issue of extending the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to the floor immediately and help workers laid off as a result of international trade by helping them retrain and acquire skills needed to compete in the global environment.”

Dingell continued, “For the GOP to refer to this vital program, which helps millions of unemployed workers, as a waste of time and money, is not only inaccurate, it is completely insensitive and out of touch with the American job situation. Helping fellow Americans who are struggling during these tough economic times is necessary and the right thing to do as we move forward to regain our economic footing globally. We must keep our word to the American public and our commitment to making our Nation more economically stable and globally competitive. We must continue moving forward.”

The TAA program keeps unemployed workers equipped to gain future employment with educational and job training tools, health care benefits, relocation assistance, and other indispensible resources. This program is set to expire this Saturday, February 12, 2011.