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New Unemployment Claims Climb and Permanent Job Loss Is Rising, But Republicans Have Abandoned Pandemic Relief

DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss issued the following statement on reports that new jobless claims hit their “highest level since mid-August” while Republicans focused on filling the Supreme Court vacancy instead of bipartisan coronavirus negotiations to pass an additional relief package:

“With jobless claims hitting their highest levels since August and permanent job losses rising, this week marked yet another colossal failure of leadership from Washington Republicans. Mitch McConnell and his caucus are more focused on rushing to rubber stamp a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court who will jeopardize health care and protections for people with pre-existing conditions than working to pass urgently needed unemployment relief for the millions of Americans struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads during this pandemic. Senate Republicans’ priorities are wrong and out of touch, and their catastrophic response to this public health and economic crisis has made it even worse.

In the time since Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans let emergency unemployment aid expire in July, they have taken a month-long vacation, pushed a stunt bill that even President Trump said didn’t meet Americans’ needs, and turned their backs on the millions of Americans who desperately need help by devoting their attention to rushing through their Supreme Court nominee. Because of Senate Republicans’ inaction, “tens of millions of Americans are dealing with uncertain futures.”

As unemployment that was meant to be temporary becomes increasingly long-term, economists are warning that “failing to act will have real economic consequences” and the Federal Reserve chair has cautioned that not providing support carries “risks for the economy.” Millions of Americans are on the edge of a “financial precipice” as they’re left to deal with the worst economic crisis in more than a generation without Washington’s help, but Mitch McConnell and his caucus are jamming through a Supreme Court nominee while ignoring hardworking families.

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