Hoffa Denounces House GOP for Vote on Unemployment Insurance

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Dec 13, 2011, 07:56 ET

Calls Cutting Benefits 'Callous'

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa criticized Tuesday's vote by House Republicans to cut unemployment benefits and restrict them to high school graduates.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

"It's bad enough that Republicans blocked bills to create jobs, but now they cut unemployment benefits for people who can't find work," Hoffa said. "People can't 'just get a job' when there are four unemployed people for every job opening."

The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance beyond the Dec. 31 expiration date. However, the bill cuts unemployment benefits by 40 weeks, requires recipients to have a high school diploma or GED and charges them for re-employment services. Republicans insisted on these cuts.

"Our economy will continue to stall unless we put money in the pockets of people who will spend it," Hoffa said. "This is a callous move by House Republicans, who apparently don't care if America's middle class disappears."

Unemployment, now at 8.6 percent, has exceeded 8 percent for nearly three years, the longest since the government began keeping records in 1948.

The National Employment Law Project estimates the bill would cost $22 billion in lost economic growth and 140,000 fewer jobs next year.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information and follow us on Twitter @teamsterpower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters