Huffman, 22 California Democrats Urge Speaker Boehner to Extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and 22 of his colleagues in the California Congressional delegation called on Speaker Boehner to extend unemployment insurance benefits for an additional year. Benefits for more than 1.3 million Americans, including 215,000 Californians, are set to expire on December 28th if Congress does not take action.
The unemployment rate for California is currently at 8.9% after reaching a peak of 12.4% during the recent economic downturn. The unemployment rate has dropped significantly in recent months, but the number of job seekers still out of work underscores the need for Congress to extend Emergency Unemployment Compensation through the end of 2014.
“Without swift Congressional action, on December 28, 2013, 1.3 million Americans will lose the life raft that helps them make ends meet while they search for employment,” the members wrote. “These are our friends and neighbors who want to work, pay taxes, and contribute to their community.”
The following is the full text of the letter which can also be viewed by clicking here:
November 25, 2013
The Honorable John Boehner
Office of the Speaker
H-232 The Capitol
Washington D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Boehner,
With only nine legislative working days left on the calendar for the House of Representatives this year, we write to urge immediate consideration of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act. Without swift Congressional action, on December 28, 2013, 1.3 million Americans will lose the life raft that helps them make ends meet while they search for employment. Our constituents in California, and job seekers across the country, cannot afford for Congress to leave Washington D.C. without taking decisive action to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.
In California, nearly 215,000 people will face this financial cliff during the holiday season when the program is set to expire. By the end of June 2014, that number will jump to roughly 540,600 Californians. Our still fragile economy cannot afford this major setback to recovery.
The unemployment rate for California is currently at 8.9% after reaching a peak of 12.4% during the recent economic downturn. The unemployment rate has dropped significantly in recent months, but the number of job seekers still out of work further underscores the need for swift Congressional action to extend Emergency Unemployment Compensation through the end of 2014.
The hundreds of thousands of Californians looking for work are not seeking a handout. These people are not happy to sit at home. These are our friends and neighbors who want to work, pay taxes, and contribute to their community. The extra year of earned benefits in this legislation is a way for them to put food on the table and keep roof over their family’s head while they look for employment. This money goes back into our communities, helping local small businesses keep their doors open and fueling our continued economic recovery
Extending this vital program for the 1.3 million Americans who will see these earned benefits disappear on December 28th should not be a partisan issue. We strongly urge immediate consideration of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act
Sincerely,
Jared Huffman
Linda T. Sánchez
Zoe Lofgren
Janice Hahn
Jackie Speier
Eric Swalwell
Julia Brownley
Loretta Sanchez
Sam Farr
Mark Takano
Tony Cardenas
Judy Chu
Juan Vargas
Grace Napolitano
Gloria Negrete McLeod
Mike Honda
Henry Waxman
George Miller
Lois Capps
Barbara Lee
Lucille Roybal-Allard
Doris Matsui
John Garamendi
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