Tom Harkin: “today I wish to speak about one of the most important jobs the Senate must do before we go home for the holidays--extend…”

“today I wish to speak about one of the most important jobs the Senate must do before we go home for the holidays--extend Federal unemployment insurance benefits. This is a program that has helped tens of millions of Americans weather the storm of the difficult economy over the last several years. It has helped workers put food on the table, kept a roof over their heads, and kept millions out of poverty. But this program is at risk. If Congress fails to extend it, then just 3 days after Christmas on December 28, 1.3 million Americans will be abruptly cut off from their vital unemployment insurance benefits. But it does not stop there: by the end of next year another 3.6 million Americans will be cut off from unemployment insurance. That's a total of 4.9 million Americans--including 35,500 Iowans, who have spent 6 months or more trying to find new work, going out and pounding the pavement day after day, who will now have to spend this holiday season worrying about how they and their families and children are going to survive. How will they pay their heating bill, their rent, or their mortgage, much less afford gifts for their family? Congress has a moral responsibility to continue the Federal unemployment insurance program to ensure that Americans and their families can survive while trying to get back on their feet and find new work.…”