“This is perfect example of the difference between our parties. If the Democrats had been in charge, we would have passed this bill,” Pelosi said. “As House Republicans rush home for the holidays, I hope they give some thought to those less fortunate families who will not have much to celebrate this year.”
Despite repeated requests by House Democrats today, Republican Leadership refused to even bring to the House floor a bipartisan Senate bill to extend unemployment benefits through March.
In addition to helping workers, unemployment insurance provides a targeted economic stimulus by immediately increasing consumer spending in the hardest-hit areas, Pelosi noted. Boosting consumer spending quickly is one of the most effective ways to bring about an economic recovery.
More than 8 million workers are currently unemployed. The Republicans’
refusal to act, means that 800,000 workers will lose their unemployment insurance
on December 28 and an additional 90,000 workers per week will lose their benefits.
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