Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) called on the U.S. Senate to take immediate action on legislation that would extend much-needed unemployment benefits and create jobs.

Congresswoman Moore said, “The House has passed sweeping jobs bills and long-term extensions of unemployment benefits – that give some support to those searching for work in this difficult climate– only for them to languish in the Senate.  This delay threatens our fragile recovery and punishes people who are hurting.”

Moore continued, “This is about priorities.  We keep working to create jobs and help those in need.  And our efforts are opposed at every turn by Republicans. They say that we should extend the Bush tax cuts for millionaires with an enormous price tag, yet they continually block unemployment extension.  The distinction couldn’t be clearer.”

Specifically, the following priorities of Congresswoman Moore have passed the House and are awaiting consideration in the Senate:

Unemployment Extension:  The House has passed long-term unemployment benefits extension multiple times this year.  The Senate has only been able to pass short-term extensions and has not been able to pass any extension for months – largely due to Republican filibusters.  Traditionally, these extensions pass with broad bipartisan support.  Unemployment benefits have been proven to be one of the most effective ways to immediately generate economic activity.  It’s estimated that every one dollar of unemployment benefits generates at least $1.61 in economic activity.
  
Summer Jobs:  The House has passed funding to expand successful summer jobs programs that provide work experience to youth and help them contribute to family budgets and learn skills needed for long-term employment.  The House has passed funding for summer jobs expansion three times this year. 

Keeping Teachers in Classrooms:  The recently-passed Emergency Supplemental bill included $10 billion – completely offset – to keep about 140,000 teachers in classrooms throughout the country to help prevent class sizes from increasing to as many as 50 kids.  Larger class sizes inevitably deny children the chance at a better education.

Increasing Lending to Small Businesses:  In May, the House passed legislation that would make $30 billion in loans available to community banks at a five percent rate and provides incentive for banks to increase lending.  The loan’s interest rate can drop to as low as one percent the more a participating bank loans to small businesses.  Studies have shown that small businesses have created more than 60 percent of new jobs over the last 15 years.