Jim DeMint Turns Back On 252,000 South Carolinians, Votes Against Extending Unemployment Benefits To Families Hard-Hit By Economic Crisis

Oct 27, 2009

Eric Schultz, DSCC

Every 12 Seconds An American Loses Their Unemployment Benefits…Will DeMint Do Anything To Help People Of His State?

Today, Senator Jim DeMint turned his back on 252,000 South Carolinians by voting against a procedural motion that allowed the Senate to overcome Republican obstruction and move towards extending unemployment benefits to those hard-hit by the economic crisis. Despite South Carolina having an unemployment rate of 11.6% and with 252,000 South Carolinians without a job, DeMint showed once again why is he completely out of touch with the South Carolina mainstream by opposing this commonsense measure. With one American losing their unemployment benefits every 12 seconds, Senator DeMint owes the people of South Carolina an explanation.

"South Carolina families need a Senator who is going to stand up for them in Washington" said Eric Schultz, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director. "If Jim DeMint doesn't care that every 12 seconds an American loses their unemployment benefits, then he is affirming his status as outside of the mainstream. Instead of helping the people of his state, DeMint would rather play politics."

7,000 Americans lose their unemployment insurance benefits every day. That's one American every 12 seconds. This crucial legislation will extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers and extend benefits by six additional weeks for workers in states with unemployment levels above 8.5 percent, which includes South Carolina. According to an August 2009 National Employment Law Project report, 13,775 South Carolinians exhausted their unemployment benefits by September 2009 and 21,852 will have exhausted their benefits by December 2009. This extension will bring much needed relief to those looking for work in this tough economic climate.