WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D, NY17) blasted the Republican majority in the House on Tuesday for adjourning for the holidays without approving an extension to the federal unemployment insurance benefits.
In Rockland and Westchester counties, Lowey’s constituency, some 5,000 people will lose their federal jobless aid as of December 29.
“This is unconscionable,” Lowey said. “We should have passed it before adjourning and when you think of the job seekers who have been looking for work, not being able to pay their bills, I don’t know how anybody can go home for the holidays with a clear conscience.”
Over 127,000 New Yorkers will lose their federal benefits as will more than 1.3 million people nationwide because Congress took no action to extend the benefits before going home.