On the recordJuly 21, 2010
for weeks we have sought to continue extended emergency unemployment benefits. We must do this because, while our economic recovery has begun, it has a long way to go. Our economy is not yet generating enough jobs to put people back to work who are searching for work. The repercussions of the worst financial crisis in generations are still felt across our country. And so to help Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, we have sought to continue these extended unemployment benefits. We have met opposition and delay. Yesterday, we finally broke through the Republican filibuster that was the source of that delay. Now we have a chance to do what we should have done weeks ago. In State after State, thousands of people await our decision, including more than 70,000 in my State. We cannot give them back the weeks of anxiety our delays have caused. But we can act today. I urge my colleagues to support this measure and give struggling American families the help they need and deserve.
