NTU urges all Senators to vote “NO” on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 4213, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. This bill would provide another extension of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits amounting to $34 billion.
While we understand and sympathize with families across the nation struggling to make ends meet, we do not believe this extension is the solution to the unemployment crisis. Transforming UI benefits from a temporary assistance program to a near-permanent arrangement won’t help those seeking a financially stable footing for the long term. Instead of “kicking the can down the road,” Congress must help these individuals find work now, with pro-growth tax policies that encourage hiring and government spending restraint that encourages private-sector confidence.
Furthermore, if Congress insists on providing extended benefits, those benefits should be fully offset with spending reductions; this bill is not. Given the dismal economic climate, we cannot afford to further burden American taxpayers by adding to the ever-growing $13 trillion debt. Otherwise, the chances for recovery will be ruined and tens of millions more will join the unemployment lines.
A “NO” vote on H.R. 4213 will be significantly weighted as a pro-taxpayer vote in our annual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact
NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Jordan Forbes at (703) 683-5700