Washington, D.C. –Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado released the following statement on the Senate’s vote to approve an extension of unemployment benefits:

“For weeks, a minority of Senators in Washington have worked to stall the extension of unemployment benefits for no other reason than to score political points,” Bennet said.  “Now, the stalemate has come to an end and relief is on the way.  It is important to get unemployment benefits into the hands of the Coloradans who have been most harmed by this recession.  Today is a step in the right direction for their own personal economic recoveries.  But we have to do more to help our economy recover and put Americans back to work. That includes passing a new small business jobs bill that gives our small businesses and entrepreneurs access to the lending they need to start up, grow and hire new workers.  

“In the town halls and living rooms I’ve been in throughout our state, people struggling in this savage economy tell me they want action, not more partisan bickering.  It’s time for Washington to stop playing political games and get the job done for the American people.”

The Senate has begun consideration of the Small Business and Jobs Credit Act, and Bennet has introduced amendments to help Colorado’s small businesses in rural Colorado, and to access lending, create new jobs and keep our economy on the road to recovery.  For more on Bennet’s amendments to The Small Business and Jobs Credit Act, click here.