BOSTON – Senators Paul G. Kirk, Jr. and John F. Kerry sent a letter on October 9, 2009 to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, commending his decision to bring Unemployment Insurance extension legislation to the floor of the Senate, and urging him to do so as expeditiously as possible.
 
Without an extension, more than 1.3 million Americans, including as many as 40,000 Massachusetts residents, will be at risk of losing their UI benefits by the end of this year. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, enacted in February, has been providing a weekly supplement to families in need. But, with unemployment continuing to rise, additional action by Congress is urgently needed to continue their benefits.
 
 “Unemployment Insurance benefits are a vital safety net for families throughout Massachusetts during this period of economic instability,” said Senator Paul G. Kirk, Jr. “As thousands remain unemployed and the well of benefits starts to dry up, it is imperative for Congress to act quickly to extend unemployment benefits so that these deserved men and women and their families are not left behind as they continue to look for jobs.”
 
“This should be a bi-partisan no-brainer and a test of decency in tough economic times. Workers laid off through no fault of their own count on us to step in with expanded unemployment insurance benefits to help them feed their families and pay the rent,” said Senator John Kerry.  “We cannot leave thousands of Massachusetts families in the cold when they need a little help.” 
 
The text of the letter is below:
 
 
October 9, 2009
 
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
 
 
Dear Senator Reid:
 
            We commend you for committing to bring legislation to the floor to extend Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, and we respectfully urge you to do so as expeditiously as possible. 
 
            As you are well aware, more than 1.3 million Americans are at risk of being without any UI benefits by the end of this year unless an extension is passed.  The Recovery Act, passed in February, provided an extension of benefits—a $25 weekly supplement—that has kept families afloat during these turbulent times. However, those benefits are now being exhausted at a time when the economy is still struggling to replace lost jobs.  
 
In Massachusetts alone, more than 15,000 of our constituents have exhausted their UI benefits since the end of August.  Another 4,000 are expected to run out of benefits before Thanksgiving, and as many as 40,000 individuals will have exhausted their benefits by the end of the year.
 
Americans have already suffered severe repercussions from the current deep recession, and they deserve better than to be stranded by Congress without any assistance.  It is essential that an extension be passed without delay.
 
With respect and appreciation, and we thank you for considering our request.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
 
            _____________                                                          ____________
Paul G. Kirk, Jr.                                                          John. F. Kerry