WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Republicans voted down a critical extension of unemployment insurance that would benefit millions of American families, including the estimated 1.7 million Americans whose benefits have expired, or will expire by the end of this week.
"Republicans in Congress are clearly more focused on their short-term political standing than the immediate economic security of millions of Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are unable to find work," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI). “While today’s vote is deeply disappointing, it is not altogether surprising given how Republicans have increasingly voted in lock-step against all measures to create jobs, strengthen our economic recovery and help the unemployed.
“We will persevere," said Chairman Levin. “We will bring this bill up again under regular order and it will pass. Today’s vote should make it abundantly clear to the American people that the Democratic majority in Congress remains committed to providing the benefits and assistance families need while we continue efforts to recover from this recession."
