Janice Schakowsky: “Unless Congress acts, emergency unemployment benefits will run out on February 23 for 3 million Americans. We simply…”

“Unless Congress acts, emergency unemployment benefits will run out on February 23 for 3 million Americans. We simply can't let that happen. Congress has never before allowed benefits to expire when unemployment was higher than 7.2 percent. And with more than three applicants for every job opening, we must not turn our backs on Americans who want to work, are trying to work, but simply can't find a job. We shouldn't demean them either by asking them to jump through hurdles to get the unemployment insurance benefits that they've already paid for, such as getting drug tested or going back to high school after decades in the workforce. Our economy is improving, thanks to the policies of this administration, but we have more to do. We need to extend unemployment benefits. It's good for American families, and it's good for America. Every dollar spent on UI benefits increases economic activity by $2. That increases gross domestic product and creates jobs and creates a stronger economy that works for everyone. History has taught us and economists warn us about the dangers of prematurely pulling the plug on policies that work. Let's extend unemployment insurance benefits for a full year. ____________________”