Senate Dems report deal to extend jobless benefits

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats said yesterday that they have reached a deal to extend unemployment insurance benefits to the nearly 2 million jobless workers across the country who are in danger of running out of assistance by the end of the year.

The agreement would give an additional 14 weeks of benefits to jobless workers in all 50 states. Workers in states with an unemployment rate at 8.5 percent or above would receive six weeks on top of that.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., tried to bring the measure to a quick vote on the Senate floor, but Republicans objected, saying they needed more time to study the proposal and its costs and possibly offer amendments.

Last month, the House approved 13 weeks of extended benefits, but only in those 27 states have unemployment rates of at least 8.5 percent, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Virginia, where the statewide unemployment rate dropped to 6.5 percent in August, is not included in the House measure.

That formula drew opposition from senators, led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., from states where the jobless rate doesn't reach the 8.5 percent threshold. They argued that it was unfair to provide added assistance to workers in one state and not in another.

Supporters of extended benefits point to the lingering stagnation of the job market despite signs of economic recovery. The national unemployment rate is now 9.8 percent and is expected to top 10 percent before employers start hiring again.

States offer 26 weeks of benefits, with the average payment about $300 a week. With federal help, including several measures in the economic stimulus package passed in February, the unemployed in states hit hardest by the recession can get up to 79 weeks of aid.