Help 3.8 Million People Today

URGENT: Tell Congress to Extend Unemployment Benefits

The U.S. House is expected to vote today or tomorrow on extending benefits for jobless workers. Millions of jobless workers will run out of benefits this year before finding new jobs—and for every two workers looking for work, there's just one job available.

Please urge your U.S. representative NOW to extend unemployment insurance benefits for jobless workers by 13 weeks nationwide and by 13 more weeks in high-unemployment states—a move that will benefit 3.8 million workers overall.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Help 3.8 Million People Today

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to support millions of hard-working people who have lost their jobs and are struggling to find new employment in a difficult economy by extending unemployment insurance benefits.

The unemployment rate has taken its biggest jump in 22 years, payrolls are falling and for every two unemployed workers, there is only one open position.

The administration's statement that, "Increasing and extending unemployment insurance benefits when unemployment is this low would be unprecedented and counterproductive because it would reduce the incentive for workers to find new employment" is an insult to millions of desperate working families struggling today.

Whether it is in a free-standing bill, part of the war-funding measure or any other vehicle you can use to assist working families despite President Bush's veto threat, I urge you to place top priority on extending unemployment insurance benefits by 13 weeks nationwide and by an additional 13 weeks in high-unemployment areas.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 11, 2008


Background Information

When unemployment hit 5.5 percent in May, it was the largest jump in 22 years. In May, the number of jobless workers rose by 861,000, and the number has increased by 1.6 million over than past 12 months.  Payrolls declined by 49,000, falling for the fifth month in a row—down by 324,000 jobs since the end of last year.

Because of the sorry state of our economy, more workers are staying jobless longer—so long they run out of unemployment insurance benefits. 

It is important to remember that unemployment insurance benefits ARE insurance—not government handouts. Workers and employers pay for this insurance with every paycheck. Workers deserve the help they need to get back on their feet after a job loss.

By a veto-proof margin, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment to the war supplemental appropriations bill that included the emergency unemployment extension (for 13 weeks nationwide and another 13 weeks in high-unemployment areas). The measure is now before the U.S. House and facing virulent threats of veto by President Bush that require a two-thirds majority in the House. The House is likely to vote on a stand-alone version of the extension.

Whatever happens, our members of the House MUST get this expansion passed. Working families are relying on them.