CÁRDENAS CALLS ON SENATE TO RENEW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
CÁRDENAS CALLS ON SENATE TO RENEW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION
(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley), a member of the House Committee on the Budget, today called on U.S. Senate Republicans to stop obstructing the renewal of emergency unemployment insurance extensions. Tuesday afternoon, the Senate minority blocked a procedural vote to move ahead with passage of a short-term extension.
“Americans who have lost their jobs, through no fault of their own, have the right to eat,” said Cárdenas. “This country must not allow people to be thrown out into the cold. For decades, we have approved emergency measures after economic downturns, making certain that American families do not fall through the cracks. Not doing so now is an embarrassment to this body. These are not checks for the lazy; they are sent to men and women who are desperate to rejoin the workforce. Senate Republicans should stop playing politics with this small benefit that may keep a child fed or keep a family in its home.”
More than 53,000 families in Los Angeles County alone have lost unemployment insurance since emergency benefits expired on December 28th. Nationwide, more than 1.3 million American families are without assistance.
-30-