A majority of Americans believe Congress should extend federal unemployment insurance benefits, a new poll by Hart Research Associates finds, and they reject the idea that deficit concerns should lead to cuts in support for the jobless when the unemployment rate remains so high. The post-election survey, in which nearly three in four Americans say it is too early to cut jobless benefits, comes just days before the Nov. 30 expiration of the federal unemployment benefits program.
"There is deep public support for continuing the federal unemployment programs at a time when unemployment is at 9.6 percent and millions are still out of work,” said Christine Owens, Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project.
The poll asked people which statement they agreed with more: 73 percent of voters agree that "With unemployment at 9.6 percent and millions still out of work, it is too early to start cutting back benefits for workers who lost their jobs," while only 24 percent of voters agree that "With the federal deficit over one trillion dollars, it is time for the government to start cutting back on unemployment benefits for the unemployed."
A majority of people in both political parties support extending the benefits including 83 percent of Democrats, 80 percent of Independents and 55 percent of Republicans.
