USA Today
The Senate approved a $34 billion bill that would extend unemployment benefits to millions of out-of-work Americans -- clearing the way for President Obama's signature on Thursday.
The legislation, which will extend benefits for those who have already used up their standard 26 weeks of unemployment, was passed on a 59-39 vote. The measure must now be approved by the House of Representatives.
"Nevada families struggling to make ends meet have endured more than their share: after losing their jobs through no fault of their own, they were forced to wait weeks for an important safety net that was supposed to be there," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a statement.
Montana Sen. Max Baucus, a Democrat, said the measure will help the unemployed, "keep food on the table and a roof overhead as they look for work."
Passage comes a day after a new Democratic senator from West Virginia, Carte Goodwin, was sworn in to temporarily fill the seat left vacant by the June 28 death of Robert Byrd. Democrats needed Goodwin to find the 60 votes required to bypass GOP opposition.
Republicans have said they also support extending the benefits but have argued that the proposal should not add to the deficit.
The legislation, which will extend benefits for those who have already used up their standard 26 weeks of unemployment, was passed on a 59-39 vote. The measure must now be approved by the House of Representatives.
"Nevada families struggling to make ends meet have endured more than their share: after losing their jobs through no fault of their own, they were forced to wait weeks for an important safety net that was supposed to be there," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a statement.
Montana Sen. Max Baucus, a Democrat, said the measure will help the unemployed, "keep food on the table and a roof overhead as they look for work."
Passage comes a day after a new Democratic senator from West Virginia, Carte Goodwin, was sworn in to temporarily fill the seat left vacant by the June 28 death of Robert Byrd. Democrats needed Goodwin to find the 60 votes required to bypass GOP opposition.
Republicans have said they also support extending the benefits but have argued that the proposal should not add to the deficit.
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