On the recordDecember 13, 2011
I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I rise today in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. How in good conscience can we allow States to fund re-employment programs with money that would otherwise be in the pockets of the unemployed? My amendment mandates transparency and accountability. It requires States to make public the amount of money taken from the checks of unemployed Americans. It's not that I am against re-employment, Mr. Speaker, but I am against decreasing the amount of money that beneficiaries get every month. I mentioned Karen from Cleveland on the floor last week. Karen was laid off in March. Her unemployment check is allowing her to keep her home and to pay for expensive prescriptions. She relies on every single dollar. Let's cut the partisan posturing, and let's extend unemployment insurance without unnecessary riders.
