The House bill would extend benefits for up to 20 additional weeks, at a cost of over $6 billion.
This is the first debate in a while about how we extend new benefits to older Americans.
They're the first administration not to extend unemployment benefits when people needed it.
The Senate tonight passed a $5.8 billion program to extend unemployment benefits to people who have been out of work more than half a year.
The Senate passed a $5.8 billion program to extend unemployment benefits to those out of work half a year.
"In the past, when the number of unemployed reached this level the Government has extended benefits," he said.
The government has routinely extended benefits beyond the standard 26 weeks during tough economic times.
The bill doesn't even benefit seniors, much less extend benefits to everyone else.
The $5.8 billion package is aimed at extending benefits for three million people.
During the recession of the early 90's, Congress extended temporary benefits five times.