On the recordMay 21, 2014
I come to the floor today to remind my Republican colleagues that there are over 2.8 million Americans who have been cut off from unemployment insurance benefits since December 28, 2013. We are back here in session for 2 weeks, the Senate has worked and passed a measure to renew unemployment insurance, yet Speaker Boehner refuses to bring up a bill. Why, Mr. Speaker? One of those 2.8 million Americans is Mitch from Nevada. He is 55 and lost his job of 8 years in March of 2013. Since his unemployment insurance ended, he has sold many of his belongings just to stay in his house and to feed his family. Mitch is a Republican, but more importantly, he is an American, and he is pleading for congressional leaders to not turn their backs on him. For all struggling Nevadans, I want you to know that we have not forgotten about you. Mr. Speaker, schedule a vote to extend unemployment insurance benefits to the 2.8 million Americans, the 37,000 Nevadans. My time may have expired, but it is more important that the unemployment insurance benefits that has expired be extended. ____________________
