WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin, Human Resources Subcommittee Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett, House Democrats, and Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed today called on Congress to renew the federal unemployment insurance through next year. If the program is not renewed, more than 2 million Americans will lose their insurance on Dec. 29. Below are excerpts from the participants at the press conference:
Ways and Means Ranking Member Sandy Levin (D-MI): “The problem is that for too many two million is just a number, instead of two million individuals with stories. I have no doubt that if the stories could be told this institution would live up to its responsibilities. We’re not going to leave here until unemployment insurance is extended for these two million individuals.
Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett (D-TX): “In situations like this, where the unemployment rate has been where it is, the Congress has responded in the past. I believe the president is doing everything he can to see that we respond this time. But we need our Republican colleagues to recognize the reality that we’re hearing today and join with us to in an effort to see that there is reasonable extension of an insurance system designed to protect people from the problems we face today."
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI): “This is the real cliff. At the end of the year, two million Americans will literally be in financial free fall unless we step up. These are people who had jobs. These are people who were working hard. These are families who are struggling even with jobs. And without extended benefits their struggle is going to be that much more difficult; that much more excruciating for families."
Tracey Mulvehill: “I beg the members of this congress: don’t push unemployed Americans over the fiscal cliff."
Dan Haney: “It’s hard to imagine that Congress would willfully allow such a heartless outcome for so many of their fellow citizens who just need some more time to find new jobs as our economy is turning around."
Karen Duckett: “If the EUC benefits are allowed to end this month - months before they would otherwise keep me covered while I look for work - I simply do not know what we will do, where we will live."
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Emeritus Charlie Rangel (D-NY): “No matter how little we have as these holidays come, it’s a nightmare for those people that won’t have these small checks to take care of their families."
Ways and Means Member Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ): “We need to come together now, because our brothers and sisters are not only out of work but they need help."
Ways and Means Member Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY): “We’ve seen the face of those people who are working to find work. What will the face of this Congress be as we the approach the end of this year? Will it be a Congress that turns its back on those who are struggling to put food on the plate, pay their rent, and ensure that their children have the basics?"
Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL): “Certainly we don’t want them to go beyond this holiday season with the uncertainty of not being able to pay their bills, to put food on the table, to pay for those basic necessities of life."
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA): “Next week, if we don’t act, two million Americans will lose their unemployment insurance benefits. We know good and well that people are looking for jobs, they want to work, and they don’t want to be on unemployment. And until we create the jobs that we so desperately need, we at least need this bridge over troubled waters."
Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI): “We have to look beyond the numbers; we have to look to the faces that represent the lives behind the numbers."
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL): “This is about the basic right to provide for your family. I want to thank the wonderful Americans who have told their story. Your story is our story."
