Senate throws a lifeline to the jobless
johnny@.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- After weeks of partisan debate, the Senate
voted on Wednesday to lengthen unemployment benefits by up to 20 weeks
and to extend the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit.
The closely watched legislation would extend jobless benefits in all
states by 14 weeks. Those that live in states with unemployment greater
than 8.5% would receive an additional six weeks. The proposal would be
funded by extending a longstanding federal unemployment tax on employers
through June 30, 2011.
The measure would apply to those whose benefits will run out by Dec. 31,
which is nearly two million people, according to Senate estimates. Those
whose checks have already stopped would be able to reapply for another
round.
The vote was 98 to 0.
"With 15 million Americans still unemployed and vying for just three
million available jobs, we did the right thing today...
The right thing would be to get rid of thirty million illegal aliens,
most of them Mexicans.