Earlier this year, Congress led the way in working to jumpstart the American economy by approving a measure that has provided or will soon provide more than 130 million families nationwide with tax rebates as well as tax relief for small businesses. Recently, Congress approved with my support additional measures to aid working families by extending benefits to individuals looking for work and providing assistance to families struggling with grocery prices.

Last month, I was pleased that Congress approved, with my strong support, a measure to provide much needed relief to unemployed workers to assist with rising gas prices and food costs as they look for work. The provision will provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment benefits, which typically last up to 26 weeks.

The extension of benefits will provide aid to more than 3 million individuals from the unemployment insurance system they have paid into throughout their careers. The additional benefits will be available to workers who exhausted regular benefits within the past 20 months and are continuing to search for employment through March 2009. This extension of unemployment benefits will also stimulate the economy. It is estimated that every $1 spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.64 in new economic activity.

Additionally, last month Congress also approved with my strong support the Farm Bill which contains a number of provisions expanding domestic nutrition programs to assist 38 million American families facing rising food prices afford healthy food. The Farm Bill raises and adjusts for inflation the food stamp program’s standard deduction and minimum benefit. These changes will help about 11 million low income individuals, families, and senior citizens in purchasing food. The new Farm Bill also increases the program’s dependent care deduction, reducing the chances that a family will be forced to forego food to pay for safe hild care services.

In addition to the changes in the food stamp program, the Farm Bill also assists emergency feeding organizations such as food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens meet increased demand and rising prices for food by increasing annual funding for the programs which fund commodity purchases for these organizations. The measure also significantly increases the availability of fruits and vegetables in low-income schools by expanding the program, which provides fruit and vegetable snacks to children in schools. These changes will assist families in providing healthy food for their families.

Throughout my service in Congress, I have supported measures to assist working families and strengthen our economy, and I am pleased that Congress has recently approved additional measures which accomplish these goals.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly on newrivervoice.com.