OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 16, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Entitlements and the Safety Net

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I and a number of our colleagues in the House asked for unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 3824, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, for a simple up or down vote. Time and time again, we were denied that simple vote.

Mr. Speaker, poll after poll shows us that Independents, Republicans, and Democrats support at least a 3-month extension of unemployment insurance. We continue to be in dereliction of our duty every day we let this critical lifeline to our long-term jobless friends and neighbors expire.

Last week, I met with two New Yorkers from my district who paid into this program for years, and they are shocked, as am I, Mr. Speaker, that elected officials in Washington continue to sit idly by without supporting them.

A simple up or down vote, that is all we are asking for, Mr. Speaker. Let's pass this critical lifeline; let's do what is fair and just; and let's get back to the business of growing jobs and our economy.


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