DeLauro Votes to Restore Emergency Unemployment Benefits

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) voted today for H.R. 5618, Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act, which would restore unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to millions of American families across the country whose benefits have expired as Senate Republicans refuse to act.

By July 3, 2010, about 1.7 million unemployed workers will have lost their unemployment insurance benefits because of the latest Republican filibuster in Senate. The Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act would restore those benefits, extending them through November 30, 2010, and retroactively applying to those who began losing their benefits in May.

"The continued inaction of the Senate is just unacceptable. Senate Republicans have shamefully blocked legislation that would create jobs and extend critical unemployment insurance benefits. It is time for them to put aside partisan politics and start standing with the American people. Families across the country, and many in Connecticut, are struggling to make ends meet every day—these unemployment insurance benefits are lifelines to them, and we must ensure that they remain intact," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "That is why the House of Representatives should act today to restore the benefits that have been denied to an astonishing 1.7 million American workers, who lost their jobs through no fault of their own."