Velazquez on Unemployment Insurance Extension

Washington, DC –Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) delivered the following remarks today on the House floor, calling for an extension of unemployment insurance benefits:

"Mr. Speaker, because of the House Republican Leadership's inaction, three 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 back spending, there is a ripple effect. As households 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 would cost our economy 310,000 new jobs.

"Mr. Speaker, this could end today. Let's do what's right for working families and for the American economy. Let's reinstate unemployment insurance and let's do so now! I yield back."

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