Reuters
Last updated: 8:06 am
June 27, 2008
Posted: 4:27 am
June 27, 2008
WASHINGTON - The Senate yesterday approved legislation expanding benefits for the long-term unemployed who are struggling in an ailing economy, clearing the way for President Bush to sign it into law.
By a vote of 92-6, the Senate approved the additional jobless benefits, which were attached to an unrelated Iraq war-funding bill the Bush administration supports.
The additional benefits are estimated to cost $8.2 billion.
In May, the US unemployment rate jumped to 5.5 percent, its highest level in more than 3½ years. The extended benefit would expire at the end of next April.
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