Senators face a stark choice: Turn their backs on our fragile economic recovery just as it gains momentum, or finish the job they started a year and a half ago. Our communities are still struggling. Working men and women whose jobs have not returned are looking to their leaders for action. Almost half of those without jobs have been unemployed longer than 6 months, and extended unemployment and health care benefits have been keeping them and our economy afloat.   The private sector is not yet creating the jobs we need.    This is no time to let up or back off. 

On the heels of a Wall Street-created economic disaster—the worst in generations—there is a telling absurdity to some members of Congress proposing to cut workers unemployment benefits by $25 a week while at the same time protecting wealthy investment managers from being taxed at the same rate as working people. 

We need a jobs bill that will extend unemployment benefits to those who have been looking for jobs without success, provide relief for cash-strapped states to maintain vital services, fund local infrastructure projects, extend COBRA benefits and provide Medicaid assistance to states.  The substitute offered by Sen. Baucus would accomplish those goals.  Without this funding we stand on the brink of a perilous downward spiral. 

Three hundred thousand teachers, firefighters, and police are within firing range of another mass round of layoffs. That's on top of millions of workers who are in danger of losing their benefits. We cannot undermine our economic recovery.  While much has been made of the need to reduce the deficit – the truth is that creating jobs is the best solution to fighting long-term deficits. 

Today's vote forcing the Senate to scale back jobs legislation is disappointing.  In the coming days, the Senate must pass strong legislation that will keep our economy moving forward.

Contact:  Amaya Tune, Eddie Vale or Josh Goldstein (202) 637-5018