Unemployment bill on to Senate

    WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives passed a bill last week that temporarily extends unemployment insurance. The Maine Department of Labor estimates that as many as 500 Mainers could lose their benefits if the Senate does not pass a similar extension.     Rep. Mike Michaud praised the bill last Thursday saying: “My office has received many calls from Mainers who are worried that they will lose their benefits. Passing an extension of unemployment insurance is the least that Congress can do during these difficult economic times for those that have had trouble finding work. But, we can’t afford delay. If the Senate does not pass this extension as soon as possible, many will lose their benefits after this weekend.”
    The bill, called the Temporary Extension Act (H.R. 4691), also extends other programs for one month, like small business loan guarantees, health care benefits for the unemployed and transportation programs.      
    The extension of these programs is a stopgap measure while Congress works on longer-term extensions.