Congresswoman Waters Condemns Senate Republicans for Blocking Jobs Bill

Press Release

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) criticized Senate Republicans today for holding up important legislation that would put Californians back to work and propel America's recovery from the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.

For several months, the House of Representatives has passed a host of bills that would create jobs and stimulate the economy -- all of which have been stymied in the U.S. Senate. Some of these bills include the Americans Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act, the Jobs for Main Street Act, and the Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act.

"At a time when so many Californians and Americans are either out of work or struggling to stay in their homes, pay their bills and put food on the table, Senate Republicans are stonewalling on unemployment benefits, flagrantly abandoning families who are feeling the pinch during these tough economic times," said Congresswoman Waters. "For years when Republicans were in the majority, they chipped away at important social services, launched two unfunded wars, and issued tax cuts that were never paid for, but now Republicans seem to have all of a sudden discovered fiscal discipline. Their shortsightedness and willingness to return to the failed policies of the past only help special interests. Congressional Democrats are working for the American people, acting to balance our budget and reduce our deficit while helping those hardest hit during the economic recession."

While the national economy has shown slight signs of improvement recently, the current pace of job creation demonstrates that government action is needed to further stimulate our economy. Although the national unemployment rate currently stands at 9.5 percent, in California unemployment hovers at 12.4 percent.

Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for 260,000 Californians -- 160,000 who have already exhausted their benefits and 100,000 more who have just received their last unemployment payment. Additionally, they are holding up funding for 350,000 youth jobs program and emergency assistance for needy families working in public and private sector jobs. Senate Republicans are also impeding funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, which will provide communities with funds to build, preserve and rehabilitate rental homes that are affordable for low-income families. "As Chairwoman of the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee, I find Senate Republican opposition to properly housing low-income families particularly troubling and very offensive," said Congresswoman Waters.

Other provisions being blocked by Senate Republicans would:

* Provide important tax cuts to put money back in the pockets of working families;
* Help restore the flow of credit to enable small businesses to expand and hire new workers by extending small business loan programs;
* Expand career training programs for Americans who are looking for work;
* Extend eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits for workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own;
* Ensure that seniors, military service members and Americans with disabilities continue to have access to doctors they know and trust; and
* Close tax loopholes for wealthy investment fund managers and foreign operations of multi-national companies.

Source