State of the Union Address by President Donald J. Trump February 5th, 2019
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Murray Calls Republican Senator’s Hijacking of Unemployment Benefits for Washington State Families “Appalling and Shameful”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement after a Republican senator blocked a critical bill that includes an extension of unemployment insurance. The Senator’s obstruction means that unemployment assistance will be cut off for families across Washington state and the nation on Sunday night.



“With brazen disregard for families hurting across our state and country, one Republican senator has decided to block the extension of unemployment benefits to those struggling to find work. This is appalling and shameful. For years these benefits have been routinely extended in tough times – and times have rarely been tougher than they are now.



“I have received hundreds of letters from Washington residents asking, sometimes pleading, for these critical benefits to be restored. People have written to me about living off credit cards, moving in with family, and going to food banks for their meals. It’s a lifeline many in our state thought they would never need, but now don’t know what they would do without. It’s unconscionable that we would turn our back on them. And it’s unacceptable that one Senator is doing so now.



“When we see actions like this it’s no surprise that Americans are frustrated with Washington, D.C. Too often, posturing comes before people; politics before helping families. Until we can put an end to this short-sighted political point scoring Americans will have every right to be angry. I will continue to fight for these families, to get this assistance started anew while we work to get our economy back on track.”

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