Unemployment Benefits set to expire, if Senate doesn't act

Alert from: Coalition for Human Needs

Call-in Day to Save Jobs and Protect the Jobless:
Tuesday, February 23

At the end of this month, the federal program providing unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed will EXPIRE. Why hasn't the extension passed? The Senate got snarled up in deals to pass tax breaks for businesses and multimillionaires and paralyzed itself. If they do not take quick action, nearly 1.2 million jobless people will not get unemployment benefits in March alone; by June, about 5 million people will lose out if Congress does not act.

This is just an outrage. But the Senate may just continue to dither about tax breaks if they do not hear loud and clear that unemployed people need help. Ironically, the extra money in people's pockets from UI does more than most business tax breaks to create jobs. In fact, up to 800,000 jobs nationwide could be lost if the unemployment benefits are not extended through the end of this year.

Another urgent matter is the impending loss of federal aid to states to help pay for Medicaid, education, and other vital services. The Senate hasn't acted on that either, although states are now at work on their own budgets and will cut much more deeply without the federal aid.

So - there is an urgent need for you to call. And for you to forward this request to everyone you know. There are two easy ways to call:

You can click here for a message from Jobs for America Now and a really nifty link that connects you right to your Senators' offices: http://www.jobs4americanow.org/the-end-of-the-line/

Or use this toll-free number to be connected to the Capitol Switchboard; just ask for your Senators' offices: 1-888-460-0813*
Tell them: Act NOW to pass a full-year extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA health and more aid to states for Medicaid, education, and other vital services and jobs.

We know you have a lot to do. But when jobless benefits are about to expire, being silent is not a good choice. 5 million people are counting on us. Please make sure the Senate knows the nation is watching. Thanks!

*Thanks to AFSCME for making the toll-free number available.

Posted by Chuck Bell at 3:10 PM