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RSS FeedsAction Call Alert - Thursday, December 22, 2011
Unemployment Aid in Jeopardy
Steelworker Gregory Romanyak is back in school, learning new skills after his company was bought out and shut down this past year. He and the nearly 90 others impacted by the closure are piecing their lives back together in this unwelcoming economy where there are still more than four workers for every one job opening. “I’ve worked since I was in high school. Now I find myself unemployed for the first time at my age of 51,” says Gregory.
His story is shared by millions of Americans. But, right now, nearly all Republicans in the House of Representatives are turning their back on jobless workers by not extending federal unemployment benefits. Extending federal benefits has been standard practice in times of high unemployment. If it doesn’t happen by the end of the year, nearly two million people will lose benefits, throwing them deeper into economic distress.
The Senate came to an agreement to pass a two month extension in a rare bipartisan vote of 89-10. But, nearly all House Republicans quickly rebelled and killed this extension yesterday by voting to send it “to conference.” This essentially tossed the bill into limbo since the Senate has already adjourned for the year. The final vote was 229-193.
All Democrats voted right (against this maneuver and for the extension of benefits).
All Republicans voted wrong (to derail the extension) except for the following: Reps. Charlie Bass (NH), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA), Chris Gibson (NY), Tim Johnson (IL), Walter Jones (NC), Jeff Flake (AZ) and Frank Wolf (VA).
If you are represented by one of the House Republican
lawmakers who voted to derail the unemployment
extension, call that lawmaker now. Dial the Capitol
Switchboard toll-free and ask for your Representative:
866-311-1889
Tell your Representative to extend unemployment aid now!
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