WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King voted again today to advance legislation that would renew unemployment insurance and released the following statement after the bill failed to garner the necessary 60 votes to move forward:

“I have heard from hundreds of constituents who are disappointed by Congress’s inability to renew emergency unemployment insurance. Many of them are people who have lost their job through no fault of their own, who are actively searching for work, and who really just need a little help to get by. While Congress debates timelines and legislative procedures, these people, and millions more across the country just like them, continue to worry about how to put food on the table or afford vital medications. It’s far past time for Congress to reach a sensible compromise, renew these critical benefits, and provide immediate relief to Mainers.

“As I have long-said, Congress must also address the persistent problem of long-term unemployment. As our economy changes, we must also find new ways to equip our workers, both young and old, with the necessary education and skills to meet the challenges of a globally competitive workforce. As recent jobs reports have shown, the long-term unemployment rate is at its highest level since World War II, and we must use all of the tools at our disposal – including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program – to help get people back into the workforce and fully participating in our society.

“While failed votes like today’s are sure to be characterized as more partisan dysfunction, persistent unemployment does not discriminate based on political affiliation. This should not be a partisan issue, and I am disappointed that Congress has again failed to extend this vital lifeline to the millions of Americans who are suffering in today’s weak economy.”

Senator King also voted on January 7^th and January 14^th to move forward on legislation that would have extended the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

Hundreds of Mainers have either written or called Senator King, urging him to support efforts to extend the program and sharing how they’ve personally been impacted by the lapse in benefits. To read a few of those stories, click here.

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