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| House Republicans continue to block efforts to renew unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed. |
House Republicans continue to block efforts to renew unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed.
The limit on unemployment benefits was first extended in 2008 by then-President George Bush in response to the massive economic crash. It has been renewed on a bipartisan basis for years – that is until last December, when House Republicans voted to cut it off.
House Republican leaders say they won’t take up the Senate bill, which would provide retroactive benefits to Dec. 28. Some are demandingCongress pass tax cuts for high-income earners and corporations before consideration of the Senate bill.
Discrimination in the job market against those out of work for 26 weeks or more makes unemployment benefits the only lifeline for many Americans.
Despite signs of economic recovery, the long-term unemployed are finding it nearly impossible to get hired.
As we wrote on Feb. 7:
Call your House member at 845-809-4509 and ask them to extend unemployment benefits.
