Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Conyers: Congress Must Pass Clean Unemployment Insurance Extension

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For Immediate Release
Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Contact: Matthew Morgan – 202-226-5543

Conyers: Congress Must Pass Clean Unemployment Insurance Extension
GOP proposal unacceptable; 160,000 Michigan Residents Stand to Lose Economic Lifeline Should Congress Fail to Act on President Obama’s Request

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) called on the House of Representatives to comply with President Obama’s request to extend unemployment insurance benefits.  Should the Congress fail to act, 61,000 Michigan residents stand to lose unemployment insurance immediately.  Additionally this will leave another 98,743 residents receiving state-based insurance without additional support if they have not found a job within the 26 weeks before their state unemployment insurance expires.          

“Congress must stand behind President Obama and extend unemployment insurance,” said Conyers.  “Thousands of Michigan residents lost their jobs through no fault of their own due to the largest economic recession since the Great Depression.  These individuals earned their unemployment insurance while they were still working.  Congress cannot now abandon its obligation to see these individuals through tough economic times.”

“The proposal put forward by House Republicans is an unacceptable, tone deaf response to the legitimate needs of the American people.  This proposal would cut back the maximum weeks of unemployment benefits from 99 weeks to 59 weeks for current beneficiaries in Michigan.  Additionally, the bill would include additional provisions that would humiliate those seeking benefits, by requiring the unemployed to take drug tests in order to receive benefits. 

“I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reject this partisan Republican proposal and come together to find a solution that provides dignity and relief for the unemployed.”       


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