Extension of Jobless Benefits Expected to Clear the House

With the jobless rate at 9.7 percent and economists acknowledging jobs will be tough to come by even as the economy recovers, the House is expected to approve a 13-week extension of benefits.

By: Associated Press | WSAV-TV
Published: September 22, 2009

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WASHINGTON (AP) - The House is set to consider an extension of
jobless benefits.
With the jobless rate at 9.7 percent and economists
acknowledging jobs will be tough to come by even as the economy
recovers, the House could make things a little easier for the
unemployed.
It's expected to easily approve a 13-week extension of benefits.
It would apply to jobless who live in states where the
unemployment rate is at least 8.5 percent and whose benefits run
out at the end of the month.
The bill's sponsor says three-quarters of the 400,000 workers
who are projected to exhaust their benefits this month live in
high-unemployment states.
Critics argue that extending the benefits could prompt the
jobless to not look for work.