Hoyer Statement After Signing Petition to Force Vote to Renew Unemployment Insurance

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after signing a discharge petition that would force Republican leadership to allow a vote on legislation to renew emergency unemployment insurance:

"I was proud to sign a petition today that would force a vote in the House on restoring emergency unemployment insurance for more than 2 million Americans who have seen that assistance disappear since December. I want to thank Rep. Brad Schneider for filing the petition and Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sandy Levin for his continued leadership on this important issue. Unless Congress acts now, another 72,000 Americans, on average, will lose their emergency unemployment insurance this week and every week that passes without this program being restored. At the same time, states could continue to lose $400 million in economic activity each week as a result.

"It is shameful that Congress has let this program lapse for so long, and Democrats will continue to do everything in our power to restore it so that those who have been out of work for months can keep looking for jobs with the peace of mind that their families will not fall into poverty. Congress has a responsibility to act, and I hope Republicans who are concerned about our economy and the long-term unemployed will join with us in signing today's petition."

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