U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Calls for an Extension of Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UI)

“Last month the national unemployment rate was 6.7 percent. The unemployment rate for Latino Americans was 8.3 percent. And the unemployment rate for African Americans was nearly 12 percent. With America’s economy still clearly in recovery, I stand with President Obama and Congressional Democrats in calling for an extension of unemployment insurance benefits (UI). According to the Congressional Budget Office and the White House Council of Economic Advisors, extending UI is one of the best ways to stimulate the economy while preventing millions Americans from slipping into poverty. UI benefits help families pay their mortgage and rents, as well as, purchase food and transportation and other necessities that enable people to find work.

“Given the stimulative economic impact of these benefits, it is unconscionable that House Republicans have not scheduled a vote to extend benefits to the 137,315 New Yorkers who have lost UI since December. Moreover, House Republicans’ misplaced priorities do not include the 1.6 million Americans who have lost UI benefits and through no fault of their own cannot find work. Congress must act to extend UI, increase the federal minimum wage, and put an end to income inequity. The time is now, let’s put people over politics.” [End]