House GOP Extremists: No Compassion for Unemployed Americans

WASHINGTON, DC - Amid negotiations on Capitol Hill on extending federal unemployment benefits, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

In each and every state in our country, there are hardworking Americans who are out of a job through no fault of their own. They've been counting on unemployment insurance to feed their families and pay their bills while they look for work.

"Now, Republican extremists in the House are leaving unemployed Americans in a situation of desperate uncertainty by refusing to agree on extending unemployment insurance benefits. This is no time for House Republican leaders to turn their backs on America's unemployed workers. Cutting off unemployment benefits to struggling workers and their families, while the wealthy and large corporations continue to get tax giveaways and avoid paying their fair share is just plain wrong."

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With 2.1 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. www.seiu.org

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