Pelosi Statement on 1.6 Million Americans and Counting Left in the Cold with GOP Blockage of UI Extension

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement regarding today's new report showing that more than 1.6 million Americans will have been cut off from their unemployment insurance:

"Every week Republicans keep up their shortsighted and immoral refusal to extend emergency unemployment insurance, another 72,000 Americans lose the lifeline they depend on to support their families as they search for work.

"As of today, 1.6 million Americans, including more than 260,000 Californians, have lost this emergency support. These men and women worked hard, played by the rules, and lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Now, thanks to Republicans' callous disregard for the challenges facing these families, these Americans have been cut off from unemployment insurance and pushed into the cold when they can least afford it.

"Extending unemployment insurance is critical for families, essential for workers, and good for our economic growth. On three occasions, House Democrats have tried to hold a vote on restoring this underpinning of economic security to the American people; each time, Republicans have said no. Americans deserve better. It is long past time for Republicans to drop their obstruction and work with Democrats to renew UI without further delay."

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