U.S. Senate votes to extend unemployment

WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate Wednesday approved an estimated $140 billion plan that would extend unemployment insurance and aid struggling states.

The bill passed 62-36, with six Republicans voting with Democrats. But its fate remained uncertain in the House, where Democrats have a much different view on how to create jobs, The Washington Post reported.

Democrats said the measure, which also includes tax breaks and a $15 billion job-creation effort, shows their commitment to lowering the persistently high unemployment rate at a time when 15 million Americans are looking for work.

"While our Republican colleagues on healthcare have been stonewall[ing], on jobs they know that they block us at their own political peril … and substantive peril as well," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y.

Many of the bill's provisions won GOP support, but critics said the cost would add to the growing deficit.

The bill would extend unemployment benefits and COBRA health insurance by one year while giving states $25 billion to help fund Medicaid programs for another six months.

The measure would also extend dozens of tax breaks for researchers, teachers and others.