$24 billion bill intended to shore up economy and political support
By Neil Irwin, Dina ElBoghdady and Perry Bacon Jr.Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, November 6, 2009
Congress gave final approval Thursday for an additional $24 billion to help the jobless and support the housing market as climbing unemployment poses a growing liability for elected officials.
The bill, passed overwhelmingly by the House and headed to President Obama for his signature Friday, extends unemployment insurance benefits that were due to expire and renews an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, while also expanding it to cover many other home purchases.
The legislation represents an effort by Democrats to strengthen the anemic economy. The Senate passed the measure unanimously Wednesday, reflecting the unwillingness to be seen as opposing measures to stimulate growth even among Republicans who are skeptical of greater government spending.
Despite tentative signs of revival in the economy, unemployment continues to pose a challenge to incumbents. A report due from the Labor Department on Friday morning is expected to show another rise in the jobless rate in October -- possibly into double digits.
Congress and the Obama administration are casting about for policies of limited scale to help buttress the economy. Like the "Cash for Clunkers" program enacted this year to promote auto sales, the latest bill has broad popular support even though economists disagree about its value.
Economists generally support extending unemployment insurance. The bill would prolong benefits for at least 14 weeks for people out of work. The jobless in more than two dozen states where unemployment rates exceed 8.5 percent would receive to 20 additional weeks of benefits.
Because unemployed people tend to be strapped for cash, they often spend most if not all of the money they receive as benefits. This in turn tends to give a bigger boost to the wider economy than do many other forms of government spending...
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