On Monday, December 8, the Center for American Progress Action Fund will host two panels on how the Obama administration can use its existing authority to best promote the interests of workers.

Robert Greenstein, founder and executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, spoke at the Center for American Progress on Friday, December 5, about CAP’s proposed economic recovery package. Referring to the current recession as probably the longest and deepest since World War II, Greenstein highlighted the severe unemployment crisis and its relationship to poverty. CBPP recently released a report predicting the number of people in poverty will rise by between 7.5 million and 10.3 million.

Unemployment insurance is of high importance right now as Congress debates new economic stimulus measures and UI’s reach is limited. Labor commissioners and the unemployed discuss measures that could strengthen this program and help prevent a deep, prolonged recession and increased poverty.