EPI President Lawrence Mishel debated the benefits of unemployment insurance during a July 8 debate, Does Unemployment Money Help or Hurt, on CNN. Mishel stressed that extended unemployment insurance was not only necessary in the most challenging job market in a generation, but that it would help create jobs. 
“Spending on unemployment insurance is the most effective thing you can do to stimulate the economy,” said Mishel, who added that the government recovers at least half of the money invested this way through higher revenue and taxes.
