Republican Proposal Would Slash Unemployment for Millions, Erect Barriers and Slow Job Growth
COLUMBUS, OH--ProgressOhio today challenged Senator Portman, Rep. Stivers and Rep. Tiberi to "walk in the shoes" of millions of jobless Americans who are under assault by some in Congress who are threatening to cut unemployment insurance (UI) and place nonsensical barriers between recipients and the insurance program that have paid into, sometimes for decades.
If Congress does not act by the end of February, 2.8 million Americans will begin to lose UI benefits. The loss of this funding would in turn cause hundreds of thousands of jobs to be lost nationwide. In addition, conservatives have proposed erecting barriers between jobless Americans and insurance, including mandatory drug testing and GED requirements.
"Americans have lost their jobs and their homes and now some in Congress would steal their unemployment insurance," said Brian Rothenberg. "What's worse, some in Congress would treat jobless Americans as criminals by making them submit to mandatory drug testing and jump through other hoops simply to gain access to an insurance program many have paid into for decades. It's outrageous that we would treat our fellow Americans like this. So we're asking Congress: walk in our shoes - and don't take away our insurance."
ProgressOhio led a group of unemployed workers, activists, and other groups including Occupy Columbus, Working America, Alliance for Retired Americans and Communities United to stand outside Senator Portman's office with piles of shoes and signs with a message to protect Unemployment Insurance.
"Rather than play politics with the lives of millions of working people and their families, lawmakers should pass a full extension of unemployment insurance without restrictions or delay," said Brian Rothenberg. "It is a modest measure to keep families above water during an economic collapse not of their making, and it is good economic policy. We hope Congress acts quickly and does the right thing."
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