Statement of AZ AFL-CIO Executive Director Rebekah Friend on the passage of the unemployment insurance extension through the Senate:

"Finally, Arizona’s families will be getting the support to weather the recession that they deserve. As they stalled this vote for nearly two months, Senate Republicans caused needless suffering by denying 2 million families the resources to keep food on the table and pay for a roof over their heads.

"I find it shameful that Arizona’s Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl continue to support the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, and yet don’t believe that Arizonans who are out of work through no fault of their own are deserving of a break. Politicians with these misplaced priorities are out of touch with working class Americans.