Congressional Republicans delayed for months an approval of extension of benefits for the nation's unemployed workers.

When they finally did, on May 22, Democrats charged that the 13-week federal benefit extension isn't nearly enough to help the nation's long-term unemployed workers. The extension would mean extra benefits for 2.4 million people who have lost their jobs since President Bush took office - but Dems argued that a 26-week extension would help an additional million jobless workers.

Democrats said they had shamed Republicans into bringing the bill to the floor just before moving to legislation that would provide $350 billion in new tax cuts. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney called the planned tax cuts "economic sabotage" for the nation.

"You did absolutely the minimum you could do and keep a straight face and put out your press release that you did something for unemployment," said Rep. Jim (D-Wash.) The bill would extend the federal program to Dec. 31 at a cost of $6.5 billion. Without congressional action, new applicants who exhausted their state benefits would get no federal help after May 31.

With the nation's unemployment rate at 6 percent - two percentage points higher than when Bush took office - Republicans conceded the need to help the jobless.

"We must ... give displaced workers the peace of mind in knowing they have a little time in finding a job," said Rep. Jennifer Dunn R-Wash.), the bill's sponsor.

Passage of the unemployment benefits helps Republicans to shield themselves from attacks that the $350 billion tax cut package favors upper-income Americans, at the expense of the nation's 8 million jobless. Republicans claim that Democrats want to provide unemployment benefits indefinitely without a plan to create jobs - and all along President Bush has pushed the tax cut as a jobs stimulus package.

"I will admit my No. 1 economic priority is not to extend unemployment benefits," said Rep. David Dreier R-Calif. "My No. 1 economic priority is to create jobs."

For weeks, Republicans had been noncommittal about approving the extension of benefits. They finally approved it just before the Memorial Day weekend recess.
Responded Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., "Today the Republicans are deciding in favor of a plan that will do nothing to get the economy moving again. It will do nothing to create jobs. It is reckless and fiscally irresponsible."