Washington – Today, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 59 to 38 to renew unemployment insurance compensation:

“The Senate has put partisan politics aside and courageously taken a substantial step forward on behalf of over two million long-term unemployed Americans.  It is now time for Speaker Boehner and House Republicans to do the right thing for our country and allow a vote on the legislation.

Over 198,000 New Yorkers have been cut off from federal unemployment compensation benefits since December 2013.  It is time for House Republicans to act, as further delay will unnecessarily injure the ability of our economy to continue its recovery.”