Congressman André Carson Announces New Analysis of the Growing Number of Hoosiers Cut Off from Unemployment Insurance

Indianapolis, IN — Congressman André Carson issued the following statement regarding a new report showing that at the end of last week more than 1.6 million Americans had been cut off from their unemployment insurance. The report, which was released last week by the Ways and Means Committee Democrats, bases its estimates on the average number of individuals looking for work who are losing their unemployment insurance each week.

"Congress' inaction to extend unemployment insurance hurts millions of unemployed Americans including over 23,000 Hoosiers," said Congressman Carson. "As this report makes clear, it is long past time for bipartisan action to help Americans who are still looking for work and who need this economic lifeline to support their families. I urge my colleagues to do what is best for the people they represent by making the extension of unemployment insurance a top priority."

Nationwide, nearly 72,000 people are losing unemployment insurance, on average, every week. House Republican leadership has blocked multiple efforts by Democrats to bring up legislation extending unemployment insurance benefits. Senate Republicans also voted twice last week to block legislation extending the benefits, including an 11-month extension that would scale back the program substantially and offset the costs.