House Republicans still blocking Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
Washington, D.C. – House Republican leadership is still blocking legislation to restore Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC).
In the Weekly Republican Address, released April 26, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) highlighted the jobs issue but made no mention of moves to bring back jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. Speaking of Republican goals Boehner stated, “your priorities are our priorities.”
Nearly 3 million workers have lost out on unemployment benefits, since they were allowed to lapse on Dec. 28, 2013. The failure of the Democratic congressional leadership to insist on including jobless benefits in December’s budget accord set the stage for this crisis.
Unless the Republican leadership agrees to allow debate and a vote on extended unemployment insurance, the measure cannot move forward.
Commenting on the impasse, Stef Yorek of Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “Politicians from both parties have failed unemployed workers, and so has capitalism. Plans to give more help to the wealth ‘job creators’ are a joke. House politicians need to pass legislation to extend unemployment benefits now.”