GOP deny Unemployment!

Republicans are blocking unemployment benefits for over a million Americans -- even though they are actively looking for work. It's cruel, it's heartless, and it's terrible policy, since this sudden cut is expected to drive down economic growth, and lead to more unemployment (can you say, "counterproductive?")

Take action, keep up the pressure, and tell the Republicans to stop blocking unemployment benefits.

John Hlinko, Left Action

BREAKING: Senate Republicans just voted to kill an emergency extension of unemployment insurance for 1.3 million Americans.

Here's the back story: over the holidays, 1.3 million Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own also lost their unemployment benefits. Since then, President Obama and the Democrats have been fighting for an emergency extension.

Meanwhile, Republicans are set on denying these critical benefits to working families, while at the same fighting tooth and nail to protect the interests of millionaires and billionaires.

It's our job to call on Republicans in Congress to do the right thing and extend emergency unemployment insurance:

ADD YOUR NAME: Demand Republicans take immediate action to extend unemployment insurance >>

Listen, this is important. There are 2.3 million children right now living with parents who just had this vital lifeline cut. Denying this critical benefit while they're searching for work is just plain cruel -- especially when they'll got to the mat for special interests.

Thanks for standing with us.

DCCC Rapid Response

P.S. Here's President Obama's hard-hitting message to Republicans from his first weekly address of the year: "Instead of punishing families who can least afford it, Republicans should make it their New Year's resolution to do the right thing, and restore this vital economic security for their constituents right now." Click here if you agree >>

 


What just happened is a travesty. And it's going to do irreparable damage to millions of lives and the economy.

Senate Republicans just voted against a bill that would have reinstated long-term unemployment benefits for 1.3 million Americans -- including more than 200,000 military veterans -- even after Democrats agreed to offset the costs to meet Republican demands. Harvard economist Lawrence Katz says that the denial of these benefits will cost the economy up to $1 billion a week. Yep, billion with a B.

As Salon's Brian Beutler argued recently, it's almost as if Republicans want to sabotage the economy to take back the Senate in this November's election.

We can't let that happen. That's why we need your support to hold Republicans accountable for this outrageous vote and the damage it will do.

Will you contribute $3 to help DFA go on offense by targeting the most vulnerable Republican Senators in 2014?

In a December poll by Hart Research, Americans expressed strong support -- 55% to 34% -- for the extension of long-term unemployment benefits. So why aren't Republicans representing their constituents? Politics, pure and simple.

As Brian Beutler argued in Salon:

"Unemployment benefits make people's lives better and buoy a fragile, but possibly accelerating recovery. Some Republicans are apparently reluctant to give the economy, and by extension the Democrats, a shot in the arm right now."

It's despicable. And Republicans need to be held accountable for it. Please donate $3 to help DFA make Republican Senators pay for this brutal vote.

Thank you for standing up and speaking out against Republican obstructionism.

- Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Executive Director
Democracy for America