Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted to extend critical unemployment for two months and insurance benefits on Thursday night, hours after the Senate passed a similar measure.  The votes send the measure on to the President for his immediate signature.
 
“It is critical to restore these benefits to thousands of Maine families,” Pingree said.  “Unemployment checks help families make ends meet and it’s money that goes directly into the local economy.  It’s outrageous that Congress allowed these benefits to expire and has taken so long to restore them.  This is not the time to pull the rug out from under families who are trying to get back on their feet.”
 
The House voted unanimously to approve legislation on March 17 that would continue extended unemployment benefits and COBRA insurance subsidies for another month.  It did not come to a vote in the Senate before its April recess, which ended on Monday, and the benefits ran out on April 5.