WASHINGTON — The House has adopted a measure renewing unemployment benefits for people who have been without a job for at least six months.
The jobless benefits are in a legislative grab bag blending numerous spending measures with a renewal of tax breaks as well as tax increases to help pay for it all.
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Pressure from moderate Blue Dog Democrats unhappy over record budget deficits forced Democratic leaders to drop tens of billions of dollars of spending from the measure. It was adopted on a 215-204 vote.
The Senate won’t act on the bill before adjourning for a weeklong Memorial Day recess, leaving thousands of people without unemployment aid once their six months of state-paid benefits expire.
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