EPI Vice President Ross Eisenbrey (pictured) appeared on CSPAN on June 27 for an in-depth discussion of the economy and the deficit and the importance of government spending to both stimulate the economy and support workers who have not been able to find jobs.

“How do you stimulate the economy again and put people back to work? The only answer is that the government has to step in,” Eisenbrey said.

Regarding the failure of Congress to maintain extended unemployment insurance benefits for millions of long-term unemployed, Eisenbrey stressed that with five unemployed workers for every job opening, there remains a severe shortage of jobs. To let unemployment benefits lapse in the midst of such a severe jobs crisis, he said, “is pretty close to criminal in my mind.”

Watch the full discussion here.