[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18503]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Wisconsin (Ms. Moore) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. MOORE. Recently and even today, we've heard a lot from both sides 
of the aisle about the extension of unemployment insurance; but I think 
the voices that we need to be listening to are the voices of the 
American people. So, if you would indulge me, Mr. Speaker, I would like 
to read a letter from one of my constituents:
  ``Ms. Moore, I am writing you today to request that you pass the 
extension for unemployment insurance benefits. I am a single mom and 
experienced a layoff at my job this past summer. My benefits are about 
to run out, and I am still looking for a job. Last week alone, I 
applied to over 20 jobs online, and received only one call-back for an 
interview. I have $600 left to claim on unemployment. After that, I do 
not know what I am going to do. I pray every day that this extension 
will go through before the holidays. That is all I want for Christmas.

                              {time}  1020

  ``Being unemployed has left me with a sense of low self-worth. And I 
find that I cry all the time. I hope that my interview next week is 
successful. Nonetheless, I am trying to be proactive on the job hunt. I 
have a webinar scheduled today for successful interviewing skills. And 
I am hoping to apply those skills in my interview next week. I just 
want some peace of mind that I will continue to receive the extension 
before the holiday.''
  Sadly, this young woman is just one of 58,000 Wisconsinites who will 
lose benefits if we don't extend the unemployment insurance. And, of 
course, there are millions of stories like this across the country, 
hardworking Americans, Mr. Speaker, who just want the opportunity to 
have an opportunity.
  And as the holidays approach, the harsh realities of our failed 
economy become more and more prevalent. I, along with all of my 
Democratic colleagues, have been calling for the passage of an 
extension of UI benefits for what seems like an eternity. Yet some 
would turn their backs on their fellow Americans during the holidays 
and in these most trying of economic times.
  Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, the Republican majority with 
devilish grins are tipping through Whoville or, in this case, across 
the country attempting to steal the holiday cheer from hardworking 
Americans with these tortured rationales as to why they oppose these 
much and desperately needed benefits, while continuing simultaneously 
to work to ensure that the rich get richer through maintaining tax 
cuts.
  The Unemployment Insurance Program serves as a lifeline for millions 
of unemployed Americans and their families, their children, who are now 
at the mercy of the worst job market since the Great Depression. 
Millions of hardworking Americans, nearly 2 million in just January 
alone and over 6 million in 2012, will be cut off from the emergency 
lifeline that is unemployment insurance unless Congress acts.
  Mr. Speaker, these are Americans who have been laid off and are 
desperately searching for work. But the jobs just are not there. That 
is why we must pass the Doggett-Levin Emergency Unemployment 
Compensation Extension Act. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation 
Extension Act is just common sense, and it will continue the current 
Federal unemployment programs through next year. The extension of these 
benefits will not only strengthen the safety net for the unemployed, 
but it will, most importantly, promote economic recovery by preventing 
the loss of a half-million jobs.
  Additionally, relieving insolvent States from interest payments on 
Federal loans for 1 year will help the States, including Wisconsin, 
which were forced to borrow funds from the Federal Government in order 
to pay for unemployment benefits for the thousands of unemployed or 
laid off.
  Never, never before now has this been a partisan issue where 
Congress, controlled by either party, has denied this life-sustaining 
unemployment benefit. Right now we need a holiday miracle. We need a 
miracle to help these grinches grow hearts and vote immediately to 
extend the Unemployment Insurance Program.
  I call on my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to come together this season 
and bring some holiday cheer back to the American people.

                          ____________________