November 18, 2010
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House Republicans Kill Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits
 
   
 

U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) voted in support of a bill to extend unemployment benefits for workers who would no longer be eligible for them after December 1, but due to overwhelming Republican opposition the bill was defeated.

“I can’t believe that anyone would vote against extending unemployment benefits now with so many people out of work,” Congressman Doyle said today.  “I’m outraged that any Member of Congress would vote against help for millions of Americans just days before the Thanksgiving Holiday, with Christmas right around the corner, and a long, cold winter ahead.  These guys make Ebenezer Scrooge look like Mother Theresa.”

 “We can’t wait any longer to extend unemployment benefits.  It has to happen now,” Doyle added.  

If Congress fails to act soon, two million Americans will run out of unemployment benefits by Christmas.  Even those individuals whose state-provided benefits expire after November will not be eligible for Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

H.R. 6419, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act, would have extended federal unemployment benefits for three months.  However, the bill was defeated in the House after Republicans overwhelmingly voted against extending unemployment benefits.  

“Many Republicans justify their opposition by saying they can’t in good conscience vote to increase the federal budget deficit by $12 billion, even to help millions of Americans who’ve lost their jobs through no fault of their own,” Congressman Doyle observed, “but apparently they don’t have a problem with increasing the national debt by nearly a trillion dollars to extend tax breaks for the rich.  House Republicans’ hypocrisy and lack of concern for their fellow Americans is stunning.”

 For more information on the unemployment insurance vote, click here.

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