Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has asked Speaker Boehner to allow a vote in the House of Representatives on the extension of unemployment benefits, which will expire for 1.3 million Americans on December 28, 2013.

In a letter initiated by Congresswoman Lee of California, Congressman Doggett of Texas, and Congressman Levin of Michigan, several dozen members of Congress pointed out that many states have already reduced their support for people who are unemployment, despite the serious difficulties these workers have experienced in their attempts to return to work.

Without an extension, unemployment benefits for another 1.9 million people will expire between January and June of 2014, damaging our economy. Most economists estimate that the expiration of unemployment benefits will limit our economic recovery and reduce the number of jobs available by 310,000.

“The members of the 113th Congress should not return home for recess until we have provided for the extension of unemployment benefits, which are critical both to people who cannot find jobs and to the economy as a whole. We cannot ignore the millions of Americans who have not shared in the recovery, many of whom have been unemployed for more than a year,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “An extension of benefits would allow people who are unemployed and their families to avoid destitution and return to work as soon as possible.” 

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.