Watch CBS News

Ellison Talks Unemployment In Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Earlier this month, unemployment benefits for more than one million Americans expired. It's something that didn't sit well with some lawmakers.

Democratic Representative Keith Ellison spoke about the issue at the Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis Saturday morning. More than nine-thousand Minnesotans were affected when Congress chose not to approve an extension of benefits for the long term unemployed.

"Unless you look into the eyes of the people who are dealing with this economic catastrophe of unemployment, you won't know how hard they're trying, how hard they're working, the sacrifices that they're making, the extraordinary efforts they're making to improve their situation, Ellison said.

There is a push in Washington to extend those benefits for another three months. It's a move that would cost the government about $6.5 billion.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.