Today, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) voted against H.J. Res. 59, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, for failing to extend unemployment insurance for long-term unemployed Americans. Earlier this week, Rep. Chu joined 165 other House Democrats in a letter calling on Speaker Boehner to keep the House in session until an extension can be passed. Congresswoman Chu released the following statement:
“I cannot support a budget that leaves 1.3 million Americans in the cold this holiday season. Those who have struggled for months-on-end to find work will see their benefits run out on December 28th. The majority made exceptions for special interests, but refused to protect vulnerable Americans.â€
The full text of the letter to Speaker Boehner can be found here.
H.J. Res 59 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 332 to 94.