[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 EXTEND EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

  (Mr. CICILLINE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, here we go again, another week, another 
bill, another missed opportunity to extend emergency unemployment 
benefits for 1.4 million Americans.
  Today, the House will be voting on the 2014 omnibus spending bill, 
but one key part is missing: an extension of emergency unemployment 
benefits. To add insult to injury, on Friday, this body will adjourn 
for another week of recess without addressing this issue, leaving 1.4 
million Americans without this critical lifeline, a number that grows 
every day. It is terrible for these families and for our economy.
  Just yesterday, I spoke with a constituent, Margaret, a mother of 
four who is suffering with Parkinson's disease whose benefits were cut. 
She has worked her whole life. This is the first time she has ever had 
to ask for help. She is among more than 4,900 Rhode Island families and 
1.4 million Americans who are struggling to find work and need this 
insurance to help them survive.
  We should not adjourn before resolving this issue, and I urge my 
colleagues to press the Speaker to bring a bill to the floor to extend 
emergency unemployment insurance today.

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