White House seeks extension of aid to long-term unemployed

The White House is working to extend unemployment benefits to long-term jobless Americans, arguing that if the benefits do not get renewed by the end of the month, more than 1 million people will lose the assistance and slow economic growth. The White House and fellow Democrats want to continue a program giving federal jobless benefits to people after their maximum 26 weeks of state benefits expire. Republicans, more concerned with reducing budget deficits, generally oppose extending the program. The Congressional Budget Office says extending the program would cost about $25 billion, but other estimates say it also would stimulate the economy and create jobs.