Washington, DC - SEIU President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement after Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked votes on providing tax cuts and unemployment benefits to America's hardworking families:

Mitch McConnell and his fellow Republicans today showed who they are really in Washington to serve - millionaires. How else can you explain their efforts to block the Senate from voting on bills to provide middle class tax cuts and unemployment insurance?

"This weekend, millions of moms and dads are trying to figure out what extra money they can squeeze from an already tight family budget so they can make holiday dreams come true. But they are uncertain about the future because Republicans are holding their much needed economic certainty hostage to make sure those who already make more than $1 million a year don't have to sacrifice a penny more.

"If we are going to get this country on the right track, we need to create good jobs and eliminate uncertainty about our unemployment safety net and what working families will be paying in taxes next year. These are issues that are impacting families in big cities and small towns across the country and Congress must come together and act quickly to help solve this crisis."

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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