Thousands of Mainers have lost coverage since emergency benefits expired December 28
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today criticized Senate Republicans for blocking an extension of the emergency unemployment insurance program, which expired December 28 and has now cut off unemployment benefits to 1.7 million Americans, including about 4,700 people in Maine.
"The situation just keeps getting worse and worse for unemployed Americans who have lost their benefits and are struggling to get through one of the toughest winters in years," Pingree said. "I'm deeply disappointed that Republicans in the Senate are blocking these emergency benefits. Without an extension, nearly 5 million Americans stand to be cut off unemployment benefits this year as they look for work and try to support their families."
Senate Democrats, along with Independent Angus King, supported the measure. Only four Senate Republicans, including Maine Senator Susan Collins, voted to allow the three-month extension to move forward. Republicans blocked the bill, despite it being fully paid for and including a provision to prohibit millionaires from receiving unemployment benefits. The measure fell just one vote short of the number needed to move it forward.
The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, enacted in 2008 as the economy spiraled into the worst recession since the Great Depression, has kept more than 11 million Americans out of poverty as they look for work, according to the Census Bureau. Despite the steady economic recovery, long-term unemployment remains near historic highs, making it all the more important to extend the program. Without extended benefits, only a quarter of all unemployed Americans are receiving unemployment insurance, a historic low. Currently there are three job applicants for every open job.
As of January 24 about 4,700 Mainers have seen their benefits expire and the number continues to grow.
