Congresswoman Urges Relief for Thousands Impacted by Recession

By Marie Brown

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) today voted in favor of H.R. 5618, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010. Her vote on this legislation could help provide critical financial relief for those hurt by the recent prolonged economic crises.

“I am pleased that the House of Representatives was able to pass this long over-due extension of unemployment benefits, and provide families in Sacramento and across the nation with the financial assistance they need to get through these difficult economic times,” said Matsui.

“But it is both shameful and embarrassing that Republicans in the Senate have tried time and again to block the passage of an extension of these benefits, which has resulted in several failed attempts to pass this legislation. Never before has Congress allowed extended unemployment benefits to lapse while the unemployment rate was near 10 percent. The Senate must act swiftly to put in place the benefits that families – who were laid off a direct result of the economic collapse – need just to make ends meet,” continued the Congresswoman.

In the Senate, efforts are being made on a piece of legislation that will extend unemployment benefits, but without success an estimated 1.7 million people will lose benefits by July 3. Estimates for California indicate more than 300,000 people will be affected. The actual number of affected should be much greater given then fact that many recipients of unemployment care for dependent family members.

“We must all remember the sad fact that we are living in difficult times and that people are not looking for a hand out – they are looking for a hand up - while they continue to look for employment opportunities,” added Rep. Matsui.