LaTourette votes to extend unemployment benefits
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH)
today voted to extend unemployment benefits to millions of
Americans whose benefits have been held hostage by partisan
bickering in Washington, DC.
LaTourette said it's unconscionable that benefits have been held
up for so long. The measure passed by a vote of 272-152, and
has already passed in the Senate. It now goes to the
President to be signed into law.
"I would certainly prefer that these benefits be paid for, but I
cannot in good conscience ignore the hardship and suffering of
Americans and that's why I voted to approve these benefits twice in
the last few weeks," LaTourette said.
The Congressman said the delay has added unnecessary stress to
those who are out of work, and pounding the pavement looking for
jobs. He said it's hard to fathom why the House and Senate
leadership are so rigid in their refusal to attempt to offset even
one cent of the costs of extending benefits.
"Some suggest that finding $34 billion to pay for this is an
impossible burden, and that's nonsense. An impossible burden
is finding a job in this economy," LaTourette said.