Tester: Unemployment insurance is for folks looking for a job

Senator votes to re-start benefits for Americans searching for work

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the Senate failed to move forward with an extension of unemployment benefits for long-term unemployed workers:

“Unemployment insurance is for folks looking for a job so they can provide for their families during tough times. It’s not a handout, and it should be supported on both sides of the aisle – especially when this proposal won’t add a penny to the deficit. I will keep working on more ways to create jobs and help folks gain new skills so they can earn a paycheck and pay their bills during this cold Montana winter.”

Today’s measure needed one more vote to advance toward final passage. The bill would provide unemployment benefits to millions of Americans out of work for more than 26 weeks.