WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Senate Expands Unemployment Benefits
Sen. Bernie SandersWashington, D.C. - November 4, 2009
The U.S. Senate voted to extend unemployment benefits for an additional 14 weeks.
In Vermont, the extension would help about 1,800 Vermonters whose benefits are about to run out. Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, says people are staying jobless longer than they have since World War II.
"Longterm unemployment is a major crisis in this country and one we have got to address and deal with in terms of extending unemployment benefits," says Sen. Sanders.
The House is expected to finish action on the bill and send it to the President later this week. The measure also would expand an $8,000 dollar tax credit for first time home buyers.
