Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Obama Signs Unemployment Benefits Bill
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 23, 2010
Modified Jul 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 23, 2010
Modified Jul 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, President Obama signed the bill that restores unemployment benefits to people who have been unemployed for six months or more. He criticized delays in the bill's passage (the House voted 272-152, mostly on party lines) due to disagreements on other economic stimulus ideas, "Americans who are working day and night to get back on their feet and support their families in these tough economic times deserve more than obstruction and partisan game-playing."
The Republicans accuse the President and Democrats supporting the bill of adding to the deficit, while Obama has pointed out other Republican Presidents and Congress have considered unemployment an emergency expenditure. According to the AP, "At stake are up to 73 weeks of federally financed benefits for people who have exhausted their 26 weeks of state jobless benefits. About half of the approximately 5 million people in the program have had their benefits cut off since its authorization expired June 2."
The NY State Department of Labor told the Daily News that nearly 200,000 unemployed New Yorkers had qualified for the extension, but hadn't received any payments since the expiration: "The state hopes to begin mailing lump-sum back payments to enrollees as early as next week. The bill also allows New York to continue providing extended unemployment benefits - to a maximum of 93 weeks per recipient - through Dec. 5. The state's average weekly unemployment payment is $330."
An economist with the Economic Policy Institute offered explanations to debunk five myths of unemployment.
Tagged
president obama
Unemployment
unemployment benefits
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC's specialized high school test stalled by technical problems, DOE says
School officials said students who were unable to finish the test would be automatically rescheduled.
By
Christian Santana
Published Nov 14, 2026 at 6:40 p.m. ET
Modified Nov 14, 2026 at 6:56 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul calls on Duffy to resign after FAA meltdown grounds nation's flights
"Serious lapses in our aviation system have become a pattern on Sean Duffy’s watch."
By
Ryan Kost
News
Gov. Hochul calls on Duffy to resign after FAA meltdown grounds nation's flights
"Serious lapses in our aviation system have become a pattern on Sean Duffy’s watch."
By
Ryan Kost
Expansion proposal for Brooklyn plants fuels data center fears
By
Rosemary Misdary
FAA meltdown strands NJ Gov. Sherrill at Dem conference in Denver
By
Ryan Kost
and
Michael Sol Warren
'A palace for the people': Historic, grand Loew's theater reopens in Jersey City
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .