House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) issued the following statement Thursday after Republicans voted against extending unemployment insurance:
“The American people, struggling with high unemployment, continue to look to their leaders for a lifeline until they can get back to work. Today, Democrats voted to extend unemployment insurance to Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own; unfortunately, Republicans did not.
“Our first priority is to create jobs; the American people want to get back to work. Unemployment Insurance is a proven economic booster, returning $2 into the economy for every $1 invested. We will continue to work for an emergency short-term extension to get families through the holidays and to work for longer term solutions as well.”