(AP) -- The House has rejected an extension of unemployment benefits because of concerns about the growing national debt, meaning payments will continue to phase out for more than 200,000 people a week.
The last extension expired at the end of May. House Democrats said more than 1 million people who have been laid off for long stretches have already lost benefits.
The bill would have extended benefits through the end of November, at a cost of $33.9 billion.
Democrats brought up the bill under a special procedure in which no amendments were allowed and debate was limited. Under the procedure, the bill needed a two-thirds majority to pass.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
