December 23, 2011

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Statement on the Agreement to Extend Payroll Tax Cut and Unemployment Benefits

Contact Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) issued the following statement after Congressional approval of a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits: 

“Today’s agreement allows 160 million American workers to keep their payroll tax cut, prevents 48 million seniors from losing access to their doctors, and provides unemployment benefits to millions of American workers who are currently out of a job.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that these critical extensions continue through 2012. 

“Long-term unemployment continues to be a national emergency and I will work to address the needs of those who have lost their job through no fault of their own, cannot find a job in this job market, and have exhausted all their unemployment benefits.  While I am pleased that the House Republican plan to end unemployment benefits for millions was flatly rejected by the Senate, it is critical that we protect this critical safety net that prevents millions of families and children from falling into poverty.  We must work to create jobs, pass the American Jobs Act, and reignite the American Dream for all.”   

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