releases: http://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-expiration-unemployment-insurance
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://cicilline.house.gov/press-release/cicilline-statement-expiration-unemployment-insurance | Cicilline Announces Bill to Extend Federal Unemployment Insurance and Calls on Speaker to Act Immediately | 2013-12-28 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | RI | David Cicilline | C001084 | cicilline.house.gov | legacy | PAWTUCKET – Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) stressing the urgency of extending federal emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) at a press conference in his Pawtucket office this afternoon, announced that he will introduce a bill to extend EUC and called upon the Speaker to Act immediately. Cicilline was joined by several First District residents who discussed the impact this loss will have on them and their families. As of today, 1.3 million Americans including 4,900 Rhode Islanders will no longer received federal emergency unemployment benefits. “The day the Republican-led Congress skipped town for the holidays it left behind 1.3 million Americans who rely upon this assistance to survive as they continue to look for work. Nearly 5,000 Rhode Islanders who have already exhausted their state benefits are now without their last safety net," said Cicilline. "I'm not giving up this fight until we renew emergency unemployment benefits for people struggling to find work. We can't turn our back on more than a million Americans, especially in Rhode Island where our unemployment rate is the highest in the nation." Until today Rhode Islanders who had exhausted their 26 weeks of unemployment benefits from the state were eligible to receive an additional 47 weeks of federal benefits. If Congress fails to extend federal EUC, 4.9 million Americans, including 21,700 Rhode Islanders over the course of 2014 will be affected according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Analysis of Budget Deal. The Economic Policy Institute has estimated that failure to extend Unemployment Insurance could cost the national economy 310,000 jobs over the course of the coming year. "I voted against the budget, which was the last vote Congress took before adjourning for the year because it failed to include an extension of these critical benefits. The minute Congress is back in session on January 7th I will introduce a bill to retro-actively extend these benefits and make sure it is paid for by eliminating unnecessary subsidies and closing corporate tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas. I have written a letter to Speaker Boehner asking that he take up this bill immediately upon our return." Rhode Islanders in the First District can contact Cicilline’s Pawtucket Office at 729-5600 to receive more information regarding the expiration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation and to find other ways to receive state and federal aid. Below is a copy of the remarks Cicilline delivered at his press conference this afternoon: Today I am standing with my constituents to talk about the importance of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation that expires today and that lawmakers in Washington left town without addressing or renewing. The day the Republican-led Congress skipped town for the holidays it left behind 1.3 million Americans who depend on this assistance to survive as they continue to look for work. Nearly 5,000 Rhode Islanders who have already exhausted all of their state benefits are now without any income to meet their basic needs, no safety net at all. These are individuals who have worked hard, played by the rules, but have been hard hit by the Great Recession. There are just not enough jobs for those looking for work I am here today to make it clear that I'm not giving up this fight until we renew emergency unemployment benefits for people struggling to find work. We can't turn our back on more than a million Americans, especially in Rhode Island where our unemployment rate is the highest in the nation. Until today Rhode Islanders who had exhausted their 26 weeks of unemployment benefits from the state were eligible to receive an additional 47 weeks of federal benefits. Constituents like Rhonda from Rumford who has worked all her life, sometimes with more than one job, to make ends meet. She needs our help and she needs it today. Constituents like Rhonda don’t need a fix from Congress in a few weeks, they need help to buy groceries and keep a roof over their children’s heads. If Congress fails to extend federal EUC, 4.9 million Americans, including 21,700 Rhode Islanders over the course of 2014 will be affected according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Analysis of Budget Deal. Failure to extend Unemployment Insurance is not only devastating for individuals, but will hurt our economic recovery. The Economic Policy Institute has estimated that failure to extend Unemployment Insurance could cost the national economy 310,00 jobs over the course of the coming year. These people have written to me and called my office with stories of hard work and dedication and their efforts to support themselves and their families. Erica of North Providence wrote saying: “One month of help can be the difference between someone getting a job and getting back on their feet or falling further into debt and hopelessness. I know this from repeated personal experience. I have hope that someday I will be able to help others instead of needing that help. But right now, I need help. I am genuinely terrified.” I voted against the budget, which was the last vote Congress took before adjourning for the year because it failed to include an extension of these critical benefits. The minute Congress is back in session on January 7th I will introduce a bill to retro-actively extend these benefits and make sure it is paid for by eliminating unnecessary subsidies and closing corporate tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas. I have written to Speaker Boehner today, asking that he take this bill up immediately upon our return to Congress. I want to thank my constituents gathered here today for taking the time to tell their stories and I want you to hear what I have heard over the past months. Lawmakers in Washington need to understand the urgency and essential nature of these benefits and act now to help the more than one million Americans who are fighting for their lives. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |