Murray Blasts Senator Bunning for Obstruction of Unemployment Insurance, COBRA Murray calls on Republicans to end the political gimmicks and allow a bill to pass that will extend unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits to Washington state families who need the support
BigNews.Biz - Mar 02,2010 - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) spoke on the Senate floor calling on Republicans to end the political gimmicks and allow a bill to pass that will extend unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits to Washington state families who need the support. Currently, one Republican Senator – Jim Bunning of Kentucky - is blocking passage of the bill. In her speech, Murray discusses Washington workers who desperately need this bill to pass. She also discusses the specific repercussions that blockage of this bill is having on Washington state families, critical federal transportation reimbursements to the state, and access to care for Washington seniors on Medicare.
The full text of Senator Murray’s speech follows:
“Madam President, right now families across my home state and the entire country want nothing more than to see us come together and pass meaningful help for the people they see struggling every day.
“They want to see help for people like their neighbors, friends, and family members who through no fault of their own - have found themselves out of a job - and who despite their best efforts - are unable to find one. They want help for the seniors in their community who are being turned away from doctors because of devastating cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates. Or all those struggling to afford health care because they have lost a job and are now facing the impossible task of affording care on their own.
“Americans understand that during these difficult times people need help to make ends meet. They understand that there needs to be a lifeline for people who never thought they would need assistance from the government, but who now have nowhere else to turn.
“But what Americans and those in my home state of Washington don’t understand is why Washington D.C. can’t seem to deliver. Why when they make hard choices every day in their own lives to support their families and help those in need, Washington, D.C. can’t do the same. Why, at a time when needs have never been greater, are the only words they hear out of Washington D.C. - gridlock, stalemate, and standstill.
“Well, Madam President, today we have a clear cut example to show the American people just what’s wrong with Washington, D.C.
“That is because today - one, single Republican senator is standing in the way of the unemployment benefits of 400,000 Americans.
“One single, Republican senator is blocking an extension of COBRA benefits for 500,000 Americans.
“One single, Republican senator is forcing doctors to take a 21% cut in Medicare reimbursement rates that could force seniors to be turned away from the Medicare coverage they rely on.
“One single, Republican senator is blocking an extension of critical highway funds that has construction workers and transportation employees at home today and that has cut critical payments to struggling state.
“One single, Republican Senator has put posturing before people, politics before families, and point scoring before the needs of struggling Americans.
.gif)
