House OKs jobless benefit extension

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday in favor of a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits but President George W. Bush has said he will veto it.

One day after Republicans succeeded in stalling a bill extending unemployment benefits, the House voted 274-137 Thursday to approve an extension. That vote count would be sufficient to override a presidential veto, but the bill's future in the Senate remains uncertain, The New York Times said.

"The American people are waiting to see if Congress is going to help them," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"This bill is not the answer," said Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

"You can vote no if you want," Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., told House Republicans during debate on the bill. "You will have to face your constituents in November."

Opponents of the bill say it is premature to extend unemployment benefits, and that the measure would provide added funds to states in which unemployment is not a significant problem, the newspaper said.

The bill would add 26 weeks of benefits for those out of work in states with more than 6 percent unemployment.