Temporary unemployment extension is law

In a swift train of events, the Senate last night passed a short-term extension of emergency unemployment benefits, which the House approved a few hours later and President Obama signed into law shortly afterward. “In these tough economic times,” Obama said, ”it is more critical than ever to bring relief to Americans who are working every day to find a job, and families that are struggling to make ends meet.”

Millions of Americans who lost their jobs in this economic crisis depend on unemployment and health insurance benefits to get by as they look for work and get themselves back on their feet.  I’m grateful that the House and Senate moved forward on this temporary extension today.  But as I requested in my budget, I urge Congress to move quickly to extend these benefits through the end of this year.  I also urge Congress to move forward on legislation to help small businesses grow and hire and other measures to increase the pace of job growth. This is my top priority, and I will fight day and night until every American who wants a good job has one.

The temporary extension — which allows unemployed workers who’ve exhausted their state-based benefits to access emergency federal help through June 1 — is designed to buy lawmakers more time to negotiate the longer-term extension that Obama is urging.