Pelosi Remarks at Press Availability on Unemployment Insurance Discharge Petition

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Members of the House Democratic Caucus held a press availability today before Members signed a discharge petition to force a vote on extending unemployment insurance for Americans who lost their job through no fault of their own. Leader Pelosi and House Democratic Members called on Congress to #RenewUI benefits for the more than 2 million people still struggling to find employment. Below are the Leader's remarks:

"Thank you very much. I'm very honored to stand with Whip Hoyer and Leader Clyburn as we salute Brad Schnieder for his leadership in issuing this discharge – filing this discharge petition. Right after we finish speaking, which will be in a moment, we'll go to the floor. And well over a hundred of our Members will immediately sign the discharge petition. And that will hopefully be a signal to the people out there who are suffering.

"Think of this number: two million. Two million people cut off from unemployment insurance. Think of their children, their families, their inability to put food on the table, in fact, their inability to even stay in their homes. So this is about our country. Think of the women who are losing unemployment insurance in great numbers, our veterans, our economy, the strength of our country.

"So thank you, Brad Schneider, for your leadership. And I thank my colleagues who have spoken on this subject and all who will join us. When they put their name down on this discharge petition, it will be a signature of hope to all the people out there who are looking to this Congress to do the right thing. Do the right thing, Mr. Speaker: give us a vote. Now, Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Clyburn will lead us to the floor of the House."

# # #