On the very first legislative issue of 2014, Senate Republicans once again revealed how misplaced their priorities are. The Republicans ended last year by refusing to renew emergency Unemployment Insurance benefits for those still struggling to find work. This week they're at it again, blocking a one year extension of UI. It’s a strange way to kick off the new year, but it's happening.
Americans want to work. Work gives them satisfaction; it’s part of the American way. That’s why, all across this country, Americans are filling out applications, dropping off resumes, searching help wanted ads in the papers and online. They don’t want to be on unemployment, but there simply aren't enough jobs for everybody right now. They need a little help to tide them over.
Now, the Republicans are telling them, “You’re on your own” to worry about your next meal or mortgage payment. While Democrats offered a compromise to pay for these benefits, Republicans opted to play a waiting game -- then offered more of the same old non-starters, like undermining the Affordable Care Act, limiting benefit eligibility for disabled workers and even putting restrictions on the additional child tax credit. In doing so, they’ve let the American people and the economy down.
If you'd like to make sure Republicans get the message that they need to come to the table and make sure to extend Unemployment Insurance benefits, sign my petition here.
Extending federal unemployment insurance benefits during tough economic times has traditionally been a bipartisan issue, and it’s been extended with Republican support many times, including the last four extensions. In fact, when the current round of benefits was first signed into law back in 2008, it was under President Bush at a time when unemployment was at 5.6 percent – it’s 6.7 percent now.
The economic recovery is making great strides, but we’re not out of the woods yet. To decrease unemployment, we need to increase economic activity. Even Mark Zandi, Senator McCain’s chief economic adviser during his presidential campaign, has said that every dollar spent on unemployment insurance generates $1.55 in economic activity.
Yet Republicans are still stalling that economic activity and blocking an extension of these benefits even as four million people are still considered long-term unemployed.
I’ve actually heard several of my Republican colleagues say that unemployment insurance is a disservice to workers; that it discourages people from finding jobs. They’re wrong, and I think it’s insulting to American workers to suggest that.
With dedicated public servants like Senator Jack Reed leading the charge on renewing these benefits, Democrats are going to continue to pursue an agenda that addresses the growing concerns of middle-class Americans and the ever-changing needs of our economy. The Republican Party may want to spend this year talking about defunding and repealing the Affordable Care Act, but we’re going to spend this year fighting to improve the economy and to reduce income inequality.
We will keep fighting to renew unemployment insurance benefits. We will keep fighting to create new jobs that grow the economy. Democrats are going to fight to increase the minimum wage and to help grow our manufacturing base and create more jobs here at home, rather than overseas. We will fight to make college more affordable so that all our kids get the same chance at a good education and good paying jobs. We’ll fight to invest in infrastructure, rebuilding roads, bridges and other critical projects. We’ll also fight to expand access to broadband internet and build a smarter power grid so we can continue to be competitive in the future.
More than anything else, the American people want Congress to work together to reduce the decline in middle-class incomes and create jobs – renewing unemployment insurance benefits would be a good start. And the fight’s not over.