Related Articles

Relief will soon be on the way to more than two million laid off workers dreading the loss of unemployment benefits. In their first tandem action of the new Congress, both the Senate and House of Representatives this week passed legislation extending aid to the jobless. President Bush signed it into law immediately after House passage Wednesday.

The House voted overwhelmingly to extend benefits in a 416-4 vote Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday, the Senate passed a similar $7.3 billion measure that will provide 13 weeks of federal benefits, which would be in addition to 26 weeks of state assistance. The help will be available to workers who apply for the extra aid by May.

Democrats in both houses criticized Republican opposition to extending benefits to those one million workers who have already exhausted state and federal jobless aid.

"This is an abomination, and Lord have mercy on all of us as we try to be compassionate for those in need," said Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, (D-Texas).

In contrast, new House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas) seemed only begrudgingly to accept the extension, saying of Democrats efforts to help the unemployed: "Nothing is good enough for them," he said, adding Democrats would extend benefits indefinitely "so someone could stay out of work for the rest of their lives."

The relief comes after congressional Republicans blocked an extension in November, leaving 800,000 workers out of benefits three days after Christmas. The new bill will apply benefits retroactively from December 29.

Two months ago the nations unemployment rate reached 6 percent, tying with last April for the highest rate in eight years.

Members Take Action Against Unemployment Benefit Loss..

.Bad News for Jobless: Congress Fails to Extend Benefits...