WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) issued the following statement today after both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives failed to consider a three-month extension of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (UEC) program this week:

“Congress should have included an extension of the unemployment insurance program in the budget deal passed last month, but now that Congress is finally trying to fix this, Republicans in both chambers are dragging their heels. As we continue to recover from the worst economic recession in a lifetime, it is essential that we maintain the important safety nets that have helped out-of-work Americans and their families keep their heads above water. I urge House and Senate leaders to let this bill come up for a vote immediately, and I will continue pushing my colleagues to make extending this program a priority.”