October 14, 2009

REPUBLICANS GO ALL OUT TO STALL EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS – WILL MARK KIRK STAND WITH THEM OR WITH HARD-HIT ILLINOISANS?

Last Time Extending Unemployment Benefits Came Up, Kirk Didn’t Bother Showing Up To Vote…Will He Do Anything To Help Struggling Families in Illinois? 

[Oct. 14, 2009] Today, Republicans in the Senate have signaled that they will go all out to stall debate on a bill that would extend unemployment benefits to families hard-hit by the economic crisis.  When the unemployment benefits extension bill came up in the House of Representatives less than a month ago, Congressman Mark Kirk was nowhere to be found and skipped the vote completely.  At the time, Kirk said he was “unavoidable detained,” but has yet to explain what else would have taken priority over voting to help the people of his state who have been hit hard by the economic crisis.  With Senate Republicans set to stall this important bill, now would be the time for Mark Kirk to come forward to let the hard-hit families of Illinois  know if he stands with them or with obstructionist Republicans.

“Congressman Kirk turned his back on hard-hit Illinois families less than a month ago when he didn’t even bother to show up and vote for extending their unemployment benefits” said Kathleen Strand, Senior Advisor to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.  “Now, with Senate Republicans doing everything in their power to stall the bill, Kirk should come forth and let Illinoisans know if he stands with them or if he will continue to stand with the obstructionist wing of the Republican Party.”

Kirk Missed Vote on Measure to Extend Unemployment Benefits. Kirk did not vote on the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 (HR 3548), legislation to extend unemployment benefits in states with high unemployment. [Vote 722, 9/22/09]

Kirk Said Unemployment Not a “Big Issue” in the 10th District. Kirk has sought to justify his vote against extending unemployment insurance in the face of six straight months of negative job growth, saying, “I know that others think this is a big issue, but I've heard very little. I have a very high-income district.” He cited the district’s 5.5 percent unemployment rate as proof. In June 2008, 5.5 percent was the average national unemployment rate that precipitated the push for unemployment benefits. [Roll Call, 6/16/08]

http://www.dscc.org/news?type=press_release&press_release_KEY=935