Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today renewed his call for a vote to extend unemployment benefits for millions of Americans.

 “Nearly 15 million Americans cannot find work this holiday season. Congress must act to provide desperately needed unemployment benefits to the estimated 2 million Americans who could be left out in the cold. This Congress must act to provide the minimum benefits for Americans desperately seeking work.  And passing unemployment benefits is one of the smartest things we can do to keep the economy going.  

“Studies show that money spent on extending unemployment benefits directly stimulates the economy by maintaining spending and economic demand.  The $65 billion spent on extending benefits through 2011 is one of the most efficient ways to create new jobs and will increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $105 billion, translating into approximately 500,000 jobs.  

"This is not a hand out. This is good economic policy, good social policy and our responsibility to the American people,” said Kucinich.  

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