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WASHINGTON — Congress on Thursday decisively approved an extension of unemployment benefits for almost 2 million people out of work nearly a year or more as the U.S. continues to lose jobs.
The White House quickly announced that President Barack Obama will sign the bill this morning that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi characterized as a lifeline "to the men and women hardest hit by the recession," the people who still can’t find work even as the economy shows signs of coming back to life.The measure, cleared the House 403-12 Thursday, a day after it won unanimous support in the Senate. It extends benefits for 14 weeks for all those who have exhausted their federal aid or will do so by year’s end. Those living in states where the unemployment rate is at 8.5 percent or above get an additional six weeks. The national jobless rate is 9.8 percent. Texas’ edged up to 8.2 percent in September.The fourth extension passed by Congress in the past 18 months would stretch federal aid to a maximum of 99 weeks, well beyond the extent of government intervention during past recessions. During the 1970s, the out-of-work were entitled to up to 65 weeks of assistance.Lawmakers said it makes economic sense to help the unemployed.House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., quoted economic estimates that every dollar from an unemployment check generates $1.61 in local economic activity because the unemployed quickly spend money on food and other basics.
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