[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION
(Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, because of the House Republican
leadership's inaction, 3 days after Christmas, 127,000 New Yorkers were
cut off from their jobless benefits. Every week in 2014, another 5,100
working families in New York lose unemployment compensation. These
families are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table.
This inaction not only harms dislocated workers who stop receiving a
check in the mail, but it also slows economic growth. When families
have to further cut spending, there is a ripple effect. As families
spend less on necessities like food and clothing, local businesses take
a hit. Indeed, it has been estimated that failing to pass an
unemployment insurance extension will cost our economy 310,000 new
jobs.
Mr. Speaker, this could end today. Let's do what is right for working
families and for the American economy. Let's reinstate unemployment
insurance, and let's do so now.
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