Statement by the Press Secretary on Continued Delay on Unemployment Insurance Extension

A day after the Senate moved forward to pass the unemployment insurance extension to help millions of Americans fighting to get back on their feet and find work, the partisan minority in the Senate is yet again obstructing passage of this bill.  After blocking this aid three separate times over the past weeks, Republicans have once again refused to reach an agreement and allow this bill to come to the floor for a vote quickly so these benefits can be restored.  Republican obstruction has already cost 2.5 million Americans essential aid they need to pay their rent, put food on the table, and take care of their kids.  By the end of this week, roughly 350,000 more Americans could be added to that number.  The livelihoods of nearly 3 million Americans shouldn’t hinge on partisan game playing in Washington.  This latest move gives the partisan minority thirty more hours to stall in the Senate, but that means thirty more hours of suffering for these hardworking families trying to get by.