Lieberman Applauds Passage of Unemployment Benefit and Homebuyer Credit Extensions

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) praised the Senate's passage of legislation to extend unemployment benefits to Connecticut workers for an additional 14 weeks. The bill, cosponsored by Senator Lieberman, also extends the homebuyer tax credit through April 30, 2010 and expands its availability to move-up homebuyers.

Senator Lieberman said, "This is important legislation to help those who have been hardest hit by the recession and who are struggling to find work continue to make ends meet until the economy regains strength and begins creating jobs again. I am also pleased that the bill includes the homebuyer tax credit provisions that I have sponsored and strongly supported. By extending the credit through April 30, 2010 and expanding its availability to move-up homebuyers, I believe that we can provide much needed support to the Connecticut housing market and create a strong foundation for economic recovery in our state and throughout the country."

Senator Lieberman worked with his Senate colleagues to ensure that 14 weeks of additional benefits would be available to Connecticut workers, compared to the original version of the legislation that would only have provided four additional weeks. If Connecticut's unemployment continues to move higher, workers could become eligible for an additional six weeks of jobless benefits.