Last week Congress failed to continue a law providing nearly a year of unemployment benefits . That law was passed in 2008 when recession was at its worst . The insurance expired last week when lawmakers failed to continue a 2008 recession-era federal law providing nearly a year of benefits , paid for by U.S. taxpayers , that kicked in when state jobless benefits ran out . Democrats says benefits sustain economic recovery , offer a lifeline to those looking for jobs . Republicans say the program is wasteful and does not help people who are unemployed or underemployed find work.
Last week Congress failed to continue a law providing nearly a year of unemployment benefits . That law was passed in 2008 when recession was at its worst . Democrats says benefits sustain economic recovery , offer a lifeline to those looking for jobs . Republicans say the program is wasteful and does not help people who are unemployed or underemployed find work.