Sean Patrick Maloney: “On February 6 the Senate passed a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance by unanimous consent. Fifty Democratic, 49…”

“On February 6 the Senate passed a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance by unanimous consent. Fifty Democratic, 49 Republican and one Independent Senator recognized that while our country is at war and our economy is in a downturn it is time to lend a hand to individuals who are out of work. After weeks of attempting to pass a comprehensive stimulus the Senate came together and acknowledged that political differences should not prevent the government from helping America's most needy at this critical time. Unfortunately, the bill before the House today fails to follow the bipartisan spirit of the Senate and instead subjects people who will soon be without jobs and without unemployment insurance to a Washington political game. People out of work around the country deserve better treatment by Congress. The victims of today's House action are hardworking Americans out of work through no fault of their own. In my own City of New York recovery from the terrorist attack has made the unemployment situation particularly grim. I continually encounter people who are victims of economic circumstance like the woman who approached me last Friday on Lexington Ave and urged me as a Member of the House to follow the Senate's lead. This House should know that our constituents are watching and they can clearly see that unemployment insurance is falling victim to a political agenda.”