Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The new poor

In April, 1 million families could face the loss of their only lifeline--unemployment insurance-- if the Senate doesn't act this week.

Tell your Senators to stand up for families!


"All of my years of experience and knowledge holds no water in today's economy. I've applied to over 1000 jobs, near and far, and am competing for jobs with hundreds of people, young, old, experienced, inexperienced, etc."

That's the experience of MomsRising Member, Rebecca, a single mom in California. The New York Times dubs these families in crisis, like Rebecca's, the “new poor.” They are middle class families “who are now relying on public assistance for the first time in their lives.”[1]

This Friday our U.S. Senators plan to leave Washington D.C. to enjoy spring break. But there is one more critical thing they need to do before they leave: Extend unemployment insurance for families.

It's not vacation time yet for Congress!

Urge your Senators to do one last critical task for working families before they leave for vacation:
http://action.momsrising.org/go/unemployment_insurance/40?akid=1827.150190.YWo48j&t=4
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*If the Senate doesn’t act this week, then over 1 million workers could lose their unemployment benefits in April.[2]  That’s thousands of families who will be faced with mortgage or rent bills they can’t pay, prescriptions they can’t afford, or kids they can’t feed.

“Even as the American economy shows tentative signs of a rebound, the human toll of the recession continues to mount, with millions of Americans remaining out of work, out of savings and nearing the end of their unemployment benefits.” The New York Times, February 20th, 2010[3]

Millions of working families like Rebecca’s are worried about making ends meet.  Let’s make sure the Senate doesn’t forget about them before their own spring break.

Here's that link again so you can remind your Senators to stand up for families today:
http://action.momsrising.org/go/unemployment_insurance/40?akid=1827.150190.YWo48j&t=7
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And please pass this link along by forwarding this email now--because the more voices our Senators hear, the more likely they are to become champions for our families.

Together we are a powerful voice for families,

--Sarah, Donna, Kristin and the whole MomsRising.org team

P.S. Thanks to the National Employment Law Center for all the work they do on this issue.

[1] "Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without Jobs" New York Times, February 20th, 2010: http://action.momsrising.org/go/41?akid=1827.150190.YWo48j&t=9
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[2] NELP: http://action.momsrising.org/go/42?akid=1827.150190.YWo48j&t=11
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[3] "Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without Jobs" New York Times, February 20th, 2010: http://action.momsrising.org/go/41?akid=1827.150190.YWo48j&t=13
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