11/06/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho Reps. Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick
are among the congressional leaders who voted to extend
unemployment benefits for nearly two million people nationwide.

The measure cleared the U.S. House Thursday on a vote of 403-12,
one day after it was approved in the Senate. The bill extends
benefits for 14 weeks for those who have exhausted their federal
aid or are close to doing so. The bill adds another six weeks of
aid in states like Idaho where unemployment rates top 8.5 percent.

Minnick, a Democrat, says the bill offers important assurances
for the thousands of Idaho workers looking for new jobs.

Simpson, a Republican, also praised a section in the bill that
extends the a tax credit for first time home buyers.

President Obama is expected to sign the bill Friday.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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