Janice Schakowsky: “At just about this hour, the Sun is setting, and Jewish families around the country, including mine, are going to their…”

“At just about this hour, the Sun is setting, and Jewish families around the country, including mine, are going to their Hanukkah Menorah--the festival of lights, the festival of a miracle that the lights lasted for 8 days. Usually, this is a joyful time--a beautiful, holy celebration. For many families around this country, this is a very sad and worrisome time, made worse by this day. With millions of Americans unemployed and relying on a meager average $286-a-week check while they look for work, Republicans voted today to not extend unemployment insurance, to not extend a tax cut for middle- income people who need it so badly this year when the economics were so hard. It just breaks my heart that at this holiday season and when people are feeling in such a fragile economic state that today's vote took place. It didn't need to. We would have helped the American people today. Happy Hanukkah. ____________________”