Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the statement below regarding today’s failed votes in the Senate to extend emergency unemployment benefits:
“Right now, thousands of Rhode Islanders who lost their unemployment benefits last month are worried about how they will make ends meet. Emergency unemployment benefits help families stay in their homes and put food on the table while they search for jobs, and we should make sure these benefits remain available for those who need them. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Senate Republicans today continued their pattern of obstruction by voting against commonsense legislation to extend emergency benefits. I was proud to stand with Senator Reed to support extending benefits, and I will continue working with him to restore this vital safety net for Rhode Islanders still out looking for work.”
On December 28, federal emergency unemployment benefits expired for approximately 4,900 people in Rhode Island and 1.3 million people nationally. Over the coming months, an additional 8,900 Rhode Islanders will not be eligible to receive extended weeks of unemployment benefits as their regular unemployment benefits expire.
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