Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted 60-34 to consider extending unemployment benefits for another 30 days. Over 200,000 Americans—many in NY—lost their benefits last week because the Senate didn't vote for an extension. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) criticized Republicans, "To them, it doesn't matter than these people lost their jobs through no fault of their own -- or that they're desperate to find a new full-time job -- or that this is an emergency not only for their families, but for our country," while Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma said the GOP wanted to give the jobless extended benefits but "We're in the habit of not making hard choices. We're in the habit of doing the least best thing for our future." It's expected the Senate will vote this week more ›

On April 4, 46,000 New Yorkers across the state (about half are in the city) will lose their unemployment benefits this week. The NY State Department of Labor's John Moye told WCBS 2, "It's unprecedented, absolutely. It's a reflection of the economic challenges we're facing in the country, particularly in our state." more ›

Senator Jim Bunning (R-Kentucky) ended his objection to a $10 billion Senate bill to extend emergency unemployment benefits.The Senate will be able to vote on the bill tonight. more ›

Yesterday, Senator Jim Bunning (R-Kentucky) blocked the $10 billion Senate bill that would have granted an emergency extension to unemployment benefits across the country. Politico reports that Bunning's move "has united Democrats and sent Republicans hiding from the political backlash." Senator Charles Schumer chided Bunning, "I've gone around the state and met with New Yorkers who had the same jobs for years and years, but lost it and can't find work no matter how hard they look. It is unfair and almost inhumane to cut these fine people off from their benefits." more ›

Right before leaving for his trip to Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, President Bush signed an extension of jobless benefits that will allow "millions of laid-off workers will keep getting their unemployment checks as the year-end holidays approach," according to the AP. Bush warmed up to the idea of extending benefits as the economy continued to sour and jobless claims kept growing. The House had passed the bill in October and the Senate passed it yesterday; then it had to be rushed to the White House for Bush to approve. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "With more Americans filing jobless claims than at any time since the 1992, the Senate's passage of the House's unemployment insurance extension legislation will help speed relief to more than 2 million workers who continue to search for new jobs in these difficult economic times." more ›