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Rep. Pocan urges Congress to pass unemployment bill 

January 13, 2014

By Tiffany Yapp

Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan is among the Democrats calling on Congress to immediately extend unemployment benefits.

The possible extension is back on the table in the U.S. Senate this week.

On December 28th, 1.3 million Americans lost their unemployment benefits.

In Madison Monday, Rep. Pocan said it's time for Congress to make a deal.

"Every week that Congress doesn't act, another 1,600 people right here in Wisconsin, and 72,000 people nationwide will also lose their benefits every single week," Rep. Pocan said. "If you think about that, that's like Lambeau Field every week, filled Lambeau Field of people losing their access to unemployment insurance."

The Senate postponed a pair of test votes on Monday as Republicans and Democrats sought a compromise to restore the benefits.

Republicans are refusing to approve any extension of unemployment benefits unless it's paid for with money taken from other government programs.