Rep. Peter Welch supported and the House passed legislation late Wednesday that will create jobs and extend critical services to the unemployed.

The Jobs for Main Street Act (H.R. 2847) will extend emergency unemployment benefits and COBRA health insurance subsidies through June 2010, avoiding a year-end cut-off to safety net programs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It will invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, public safety and education jobs, and small business loan programs.

“Tonight we provided critical support to millions of unemployed Americans, while creating jobs and continuing to rebuild our economy,” Welch said. “This investment in our nation’s infrastructure, public services and small businesses continues our commitment to job creation and economic restoration.”

In addition to extending emergency unemployment compensation and COBRA subsidies through June, H.R. 2847:

· Invests $48 billion in highways and mass transit, school renovation, clean water facilities and affordable housing

· Invests $72 billion in saving or creating 250,000 education jobs, saving or creating 5,000 law enforcement and firefighting jobs, and training students and workers in high-growth industries

· Extends Recovery Act initiatives to help small businesses by eliminating fees on Small Business Administration loans and encouraging banks to lend to small businesses

The Jobs for Main Street Act passed by a vote of 217 to 212.