Rep. Vargas Ramps Up Fight to Extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance
WASHINGTON, DC (January 10, 2014) – In his continued pursuit to defend unemployment insurance benefits for millions of Americans, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) proudly cosponsored H.R. 3824, the “Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act,” introduced by Rep. John Tierney (MA-6). This bill would provide for the extension of certain unemployment benefits. This week, Rep. Vargas also joined 48 Freshman House Democrats to urge Speaker John Boehner (OH-8) to schedule an immediate, up-or-down vote to extend emergency unemployment insurance and gave a speech on the House Floor.
“Extending emergency unemployment insurance benefits to the more than 1.3 million Americans who are struggling to find employment is a top priority for me,” said Rep. Vargas. “The House Majority has chosen a path of inaction, which as we have witnessed, does nothing but leave Americans who are facing financial hardship even more vulnerable. Providing unemployment insurance should not be a partisan issue.”
Vargas, whose speech on the House Floor highlighted the devastating effects facing individuals and families who have lost unemployment benefits, joined 48 Freshman Democrats in writing a letter to Speaker Boehner that read, “Mr. Speaker, our constituents elected us to Congress to govern. The American people deserve an immediate vote to extend unemployment insurance benefits. Congress – and our economy – cannot afford to sit idle as so many Americans desperately wait for us to act.”
“Every day that Congress does not act, thousands more Americans lose unemployment insurance benefits. In California alone, 214,000 individuals have lost benefits, with an additional 326,000 facing the same fate,” stated Rep. Vargas. “Benefits must be reinstated so Americans can focus on searching for employment without fear of going hungry or being forced into the streets.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border. Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.