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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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Pelosi: Republicans Saying 'Bah Humbug' to Laid-Off Workers
Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Republican refusal to extend unemployment benefits set to expire at Christmas:
"This weekend, Republicans are saying ‘Bah Humbug’ to laid-off workers by refusing to extend unemployment benefits at Christmas time. For too many families, unemployment benefits are about survival, not luxury. It is about whether kids go to bed hungry, not about whether Christmas dinner is catered.
"This holiday season, for the second straight year, Republicans are turning their backs on millions of struggling families. After the current extended unemployment benefits program expires, benefits will be denied to nearly 90,000 workers every week thereafter. Over six months, this will affect almost 2.2 million Americans.
"Unfortunately, today's release of state-by-state economic data confirms the plight of millions of jobless workers. Every region of the country is losing jobs -- in all, nearly 9 million Americans are unemployed. The economy has lost nearly 3 millions jobs under President George W. Bush -- the first President to lose jobs since Herbert Hoover. Two million workers have been unemployed for more than six months and another 1.4 million workers have exhausted their unemployment benefits but still have not found work.
"House Democrats are fighting for American workers. We have a plan, put forward by Congressmen Charles Rangel and Ben Cardin, that would continue the extended benefits program for an additional six months, increase the time that unemployed workers can get benefits from 13 to 26 weeks, and provide unemployment benefits to 1.4 million workers who have already exhausted their federal extended benefits.
"Extending these unemployment benefits, passing legislation to keep manufacturing jobs here in the United States, and approving a highway bill would spur economic growth and create jobs. Unfortunately, the Republicans would not allow us to vote on any of these measures before adjourning earlier this month. Democrats will do everything we can to take action as soon as Congress returns next month. Republicans must not continue to leave American workers out in the cold."
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
