President Obama signed a bill (H.R. 4213) extending aid to 2.5 million unemployed Americans on Thursday night, July 22, in the Oval Office following House of Representatives approval Thursday afternoon.
"Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times," Obama said in a statement issued after the bill signing.
The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday night, July 21, in a 60-40 party line vote notable by the presence of that 60th vote in the person of Carte Goodwin, who was named to succeed the late West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd. The vote in the House was 272 to 152, with 31 Republicans voting for the extension, and 10 Democrats voting against it (view the roll call vote here.)
