Dear Alice, Without prompt action to reauthorize federal unemployment insurance, more than two million people who can't find work and are relying on emergency unemployment benefits will lose their lifeline in January. And if action isn't taken at all, the total will rise to at least six million over the course of 2012. In the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, when jobs are so scarce, it would be remarkably cruel and shortsighted for Congress to cut-off this vital lifeline for so many hardworking Americans who are struggling to find work. That is why today CREDO is joining the National Employment Law Project, the AFL-CIO, USAction and MomsRising in a national day of action to tell Congress to extend emergency unemployment benefits. Unemployment insurance is a vital part of the social safety net. And allowing emergency benefits to expire would be a radical departure from past precedent. Congress has never cut back on federally funded unemployment insurance when unemployment was anywhere near this high for this long. And for good reason. Recent census figures show that federal unemployment insurance helped keep more than three million Americans from falling into poverty last year alone. The people who are out of work these days didn't create the economic crisis we're in — they're just among those most directly affected by it. If there was ever a time to help them stay afloat while they look for work, it's now. Thank you for speaking out. Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets |
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