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Tuesday December 13, 2011
Unemployment Benefits are a Critical Lifeline for Families with Children!
Unemployed workers are not in a tough spot alone. They are parents, grandparents and other family members who struggle to feed their children and keep a roof over their heads. For millions of these families, unemployment benefits are a critical life line.
If Congress does not act to extend benefits by the end of this year:
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Nationwide, 2.2 million unemployed workers – and their families – will lose their benefits by February 11th;
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In Pennsylvania, 97,500 unemployed workers will be impacted;
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In 2010, 11 percent of children in the U.S. – 7.8 million children - had at least one unemployed parent who was looking for work;
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In Pennsylvania, 10 percent of children – 270,000 – have at least one unemployed parent;
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Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate (8.1 in Oct. 2011) remains well above the level it was at the onset of the recession (4.2 in Jan. 2007). The same is true in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region (click here for more details).
Before Congress leaves for the holidays, Members need to support the unemployed and our local communities by maintaining the current federal UI program, including extended weeks of benefits. It’s the right thing to do for families, for children, and for our economy.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote TONIGHT – Tuesday, December 13, 2011. The Senate will do so in the next few days. The National Employment Law Project has set up a toll-free number for YOU to call Congress: 888-245-3381
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Call your Congressperson and tell him/her to support H.R. 3346
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Call Senators Casey and Toomey and tell them to support S. 1804
Urge them to pass these bills without delay or change, in their entirety.
If you cannot call, please email your elected officials by clicking here!
About this E-Alert
Action today means protecting children tomorrow. PCCY sends regular e-alerts to keep our network up-to-date on important issues affecting children and families in our region. Please continue working with us to protect the lives and life chances of our region's children by taking action today.
President: Carolyn Adams
Executive Director: Shelly D. Yanoff
Communications Director: Sid Holmes
Webmaster: Steven E. Fynes
Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY), 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Sixth Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 / 215-563-5848 / www.pccy.org / Facebook
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