Cohen: Unemployed Memphians Shouldn't Wait Another Day For Benefits Because of Republican Obstruction

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today joined House Democrats in signing a discharge petition to force Speaker John Boehner to allow an up-or-down vote to extend unemployment insurance for more than 2 million Americans—including more than 31,000 Tennesseans—that were cut off from this critical lifeline when benefits expired last year. The discharge petition, if a majority of the House of Representatives signs it, would require the Speaker to immediately allow a vote on legislation to extend the unemployment insurance program that he has so far refused to do.

“People who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own shouldn’t have to wait another day for Speaker Boehner to allow a vote on their unemployment benefits,” said Congressman Cohen. “The more than 31,000 Tennesseans who rely on this critical lifeline to put food on their tables and pay their rent need Congress to act immediately. I join my colleagues in putting further pressure on Speaker Boehner to stop blocking a vote on unemployment insurance and allow the House to have its say.”

The number of Americans who have lost their unemployment benefits surpassed two million last week. This includes more than 31,000 Tennesseans, according to a recent analysis from Ways and Means Committee Democrats. Every week that passes without a vote to extend the emergency unemployment compensation program, an additional 72,000 Americans stand to lose their benefits.

To date, House Republicans have blocked multiple efforts by Democrats to bring up legislation to extend the program on the House floor. Today’s discharge petition, if it receives enough signatures, will remove current Republican roadblocks and require an immediate vote. Last month, a measure to extend the program came just one vote short of the 60 votes supermajority needed to move the legislation forward in the Senate.