Unemployment Benefits Shorter
At the end of December, the U.S. Congress allowed
the extension of unemployment insurance to expire. Millions of unemployed
Americans are being cut off from their main source of income. This has happened
before, and the more worker-friendly congresspersons were able to get the
extension back. Local 848 members signed petitions favoring the extension, and
they were sent to area congresspersons. In response, Congressman Martin Frost
sent the following letter:
“As you may know, Republicans refused to allow a
vote on renewing extended
unemployment benefits before leaving town for the
holidays, stranding many unemployed individuals who cannot find work. While Republicans
boast about an economic turnaround, they still fail to address the millions of
American who are still struggling without jobs. Over three million private
sector jobs have been eliminated over the past two years, and unemployment
hovers just over 6 percent.
The current recession has been hard on workers -
and I think they deserve some relief. We must extend unemployment benefits. I
have cosponsored H.R. 1652 to continue the extended benefits program for an
additional six months, increase the amount of benefits to 26 weeks, include
coverage for roughly one million workers who have already exhausted their
extended benefits, and expand unemployment insurance coverage for low-wage and
part-time workers. I have also signed a petition to provide for this bill's
immediate consideration. Please rest assured that I will continue working to
ensure that unemployed Americans get the help they need during these hard
times.
I appreciate this opportunity to have been of
service. Best wishes.”