Unemployed ‘Hostage to Washington Politics,’ says Obama

Obama speaks in the White House Rose Garden Monday to Urge Senators to Fund Unemployment Benefits. He is joined by three jobless Americans, (R-L) Leslie Macko, from Charlottesville, VA, Jim Chukalas, from Fredon Township, NJ, Denise Gibson from NY. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON—On Monday President Obama exhorted Republican senators to pass unemployment benefits. He spoke at the White House in anticipation of a vote Tuesday on the issue in the Senate. Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans expired June 4 and Republican senators have twice blocked the vote to extend funding of unemployment benefits for Americans out of work.

Speaking in the Rose Garden, President Obama said the bill needs to pass. He also said he hopes the Senate will pass a bill up for vote this week to cut taxes and increase lending to small business.

“It’s time to stop holding workers laid off in this recession hostage to Washington politics. It’s time to do what’s right—not for the next election, but for the middle class,” said Obama, according to a transcript available at Whitehouse.gov.

Republicans say they object to the unfettered deficit spending the country can’t afford and that spending must be reined in.

President Obama believes spending at this time is important to help Americans hold things together as they look for jobs. But Republicans, he said, don’t see extending benefits as a good use of the the money.

“Republican leaders in the Senate are advancing a misguided notion that emergency relief somehow discourages people from looking for a job,” said Obama.

“The Americans I hear from in letters and meet in town halls—Americans like the ones here today—they aren’t looking for a handout. It’s not that they don’t want to work. They desperately do. They just can’t find a job.”

Some also argue that providing unemployment benefits expands purchasing power to those without jobs, boosting consumer purchases and helping create demand for production.