Tell Your Senators to Vote for an Emergency Extension of UI Benefits

Tell Your Senators to Vote for an Emergency Extension of UI Benefits

The Issue

An estimated 1.7 million jobless workers have lost their unemployment insurance benefits because legislation to preserve them has been blocked in the Senate.

The number will continue to rise unless/until the Senate approves an extension of the extra weeks of benefits that were helping jobless workers and their families weather this deep recession. By the end of July, it will total 3.2 million.

The House of Representatives has passed emergency legislation (H.R. 5618) to extend the now-expired UI benefits. The bill now awaits action in the Senate. Supporters will need 60 votes to end debate so that a substantive can be taken.

Opponents say that extended UI benefits should be "paid for" by using funds that were approved to support job-creating projects. This would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. As in the past, the UI benefits extension should handled as emergency legislation.

So urge your Senators to vote for H.R. 5618 as-is and as soon as possible.

Photo credit: Editor B

avatar of the starter
Kathryn BaerPetition StarterI'm an independent consultant policy research, analysis and communications. I've worked for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, a Member of Congress and a major global corporation. In addition to for-fee services, I provide voluntary support for organizations that advocate on behalf of homeless and other poor people in Washington, D.C., both directly and through my blog.
Media inquiries
This petition had 1,807 supporters

The Issue

An estimated 1.7 million jobless workers have lost their unemployment insurance benefits because legislation to preserve them has been blocked in the Senate.

The number will continue to rise unless/until the Senate approves an extension of the extra weeks of benefits that were helping jobless workers and their families weather this deep recession. By the end of July, it will total 3.2 million.

The House of Representatives has passed emergency legislation (H.R. 5618) to extend the now-expired UI benefits. The bill now awaits action in the Senate. Supporters will need 60 votes to end debate so that a substantive can be taken.

Opponents say that extended UI benefits should be "paid for" by using funds that were approved to support job-creating projects. This would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. As in the past, the UI benefits extension should handled as emergency legislation.

So urge your Senators to vote for H.R. 5618 as-is and as soon as possible.

Photo credit: Editor B

avatar of the starter
Kathryn BaerPetition StarterI'm an independent consultant policy research, analysis and communications. I've worked for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, a Member of Congress and a major global corporation. In addition to for-fee services, I provide voluntary support for organizations that advocate on behalf of homeless and other poor people in Washington, D.C., both directly and through my blog.
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on July 2, 2010