[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E79-E80]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS ADDRESSES UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

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                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 13, 2014

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, another week has 
passed while Republicans in Congress continue their blockade on the 
renewal of federal unemployment insurance. More than 1.5 million 
jobless Americans remain without unemployment insurance and another 
72,000 hardworking men and women will be cut off with each additional 
week of inaction that passes by.
  House Democrats have continued their push to hold a vote on extending 
emergency unemployment insurance. In fact, this is the third time that 
I join my colleagues in making sure that we renew our promise to the 
American people by demanding a simple vote on a three-month extension. 
Every day that we fail to act means more families will be left 
wondering how they will put food on the table or pay for basic goods as 
they seek employment.
  Instead of devoting so much time in Congress trying to overturn the 
Affordable Care Act, House Republicans should reconsider the impact 
that allowing unemployment insurance to expire will have on the U.S. 
economy and American families. It is estimated that the lapse in 
unemployment coverage removed $400 million out of state economies in 
just a single week, while failing to extend unemployment insurance will 
cost the U.S. economy 240,000 jobs this year.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of restoring economic security for 
millions of Americans and their families. I am truly disappointed to

[[Page E80]]

see that the House Republican agenda for 2014 does not include renewing 
federal unemployment insurance. The long-term unemployed cannot wait on 
Congress to restore this critical support any longer, and I urge my 
Republican colleagues to act now.

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