Kerry slams Bush for insurance loss

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- The campaign for U.S. Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry Wednesday attacked the Bush administration for refusing to extend unemployment insurance.

"As of today, more than 1 million Americans are unemployed and have been unable to find new work for so long that their unemployment insurance has expired," the Massachusetts senator said in a statement. "To make matters worse, George Bush has turned his back on the extension of those benefits -- leaving out of work Americans and their families without the vital assistance they need."

"This situation is intolerable. John Kerry would not tolerate it," Robert Reich, labor secretary under former President Clinton, told reporters in a conference call.

"I think the important point is nobody is suggesting the president is responsible directly, but he can be faulted and should be faulted for doing nothing to stem the tide," Reich said.

A 13-week extension of the benefits, which expired late December, must be passed by Congress, which Reich acknowledged. He added, however, that Bush's promise he would sign such legislation was disingenuous.