RENEW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE NOW

Here we go again.

Out-of-work Americans narrowly averted losing their unemployment insurance when Congress passed a two-month extension at the end of 2011.

But that extension is set to expire at the end of this month, and House Republican leaders are expected to push for drastic cuts in benefits and create new barriers for millions of unemployed workers’ and their families. This includes thousands of AFSCME and CSEA members across the country who feel the painful realities of state and local service cuts.

Send a message to Congress telling them to renew unemployment through December without any changes to the program.

Congressional leaders are trying to significantly change unemployment insurance through a bill, H.R. 3630, which would:

•Cut the length of benefits in half in the highest unemployment states;

•Impose drug testing of recipients;

•Make jobless workers pay for reemployment services;

•Deny benefits to workers who did not receive a high school diploma or GED;

•Allows states to use unemployment funds for other purposes.

These disasterous reforms would affect millions of jobless workers and their families. We must stand together and protect our AFSCME and CSEA sisters and brothers from losing their insurance.

Tell Congress that extending unemployment insurance is necessary for millions of out-of-work Americans and their families’ survival.

Congress should create jobs to put unemployed Americans back to work, not punish them by cutting off their support lifeline.