MEDIA CONTACT:
STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY 11.17.10

Clay Urges Extension of Emergency Unemployment Benefits

Two Million Americans Will Lose Lifeline if U.S. Senate Fails to Act
Over 37,000 Missourians at Risk

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri today urged his congressional colleagues to extend emergency unemployment benefits before they run out for 2 million Americans.  Temporary federal unemployment benefits will begin to expire at the end of November if the U.S. Senate fails to act on legislation already passed by the U.S. House.  Without an extension, two million Americans will lose this essential lifeline by the end of the year.

“It is morally indefensible and economically foolish to allow these emergency unemployment benefits to expire,” said the Congressman. Over two million Americans are at risk, including 37,200 in Missouri.  Never in our history has Congress allowed emergency unemployment benefits to expire when unemployment is still so high.  As the economy begins to recover, the most irresponsible thing we could do is to abandon millions of hard-working Americans who depend on these benefits to save their homes, feed their families and keep the heat on, while they search for a new job.  It is my hope that my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, will search their consciences and do the right thing without delay.  I look forward to supporting its final passage.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 15 million Americans are currently unemployed.  The national employment rate is 9.6%. However, the minority unemployment rate is far worse, in some areas, twice as high as the national average.

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