Associated Press: Congress Passes $24 Billion Bill To Aid Jobless, Homebuyers
WASHINGTON – Congress took further steps to right the staggering economy by expanding a popular tax credit for homebuyers and extending unemployment checks for the growing legions of people running out of benefits with few job prospects.
The White House said the legislation builds on its efforts to spur job creation and President Barack Obama would sign it into law Friday morning.
The House passed the bill on a 403-12 vote Thursday, a day after the Senate ended a monthlong stalemate with a 98-0 vote. With some 7,000 people exhausting unemployment benefits every day and the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers set to expire at the end of November, there was a sense of urgency in getting it to Obama’s desk. [more...]