The jobless claims bill finally passed the Senate 62-36 with little Republican support. The bill will make it possible for hard hit states to lengthen the unemployment checks received by workers for up to 99 weeks. This length of time is quite long and points to the problem in obtaining employment. The bills cost was $149 billion, a small amount by today’s standards.

The Bill now goes to the House of Representatives where many Democrats want to strengthen the bill, believing we are in the midst of the longest and hardest economic downturn since the Great Depression. The Democrats want to include strong job creation measures.

There are other elements in the bill. $25 billion in medicaid funds for the states. The bill also includes subsidies for unemployed workers’ health coverage. The Republican kept stating that it is time to cut back in spending and we cannot afford the bill. Earlier this week Sen. Bunning of Kentucky was making the same point but standing alone.

The two senators from Maine Collins and Snowe voted Yes with the Democrats on the measure. These are the two senators that the Democrats are trying to enlist in their quest for a Health Care Bill.