Bill extending unemployment benefits, housing credits passes Senate WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House could be voting as early as today on a Senate-passed bill that would extend unemployment benefits and expand a homebuyer tax credit. The bill passed the Senate with a 98-0 vote yesterday, and is expected to easily win approval in the House and be sent to President Barack Obama for his signature. The $24 billion package gives the jobless at least 14 weeks of additional benefits, while those in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent and above get six weeks on top of that. More than 1 million out-of-work people were expected to run out of benefits by the end of the year. Also in the package, the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers will be extended through June of next year, so long as the buyer has signed a contract by April 30. It would also be expanded to include a $6,500 credit for people who've lived in their current homes at least 5 years.
11/5/2009 6:24:17 AM