WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is sending the president legislation to expand a popular homebuyers tax credit and extend unemployment benefits.
With an overwhelming House vote, Congress has completed work on the $24 billion economic package that seeks both to propel a sluggish economic recovery and help out the millions who have lost jobs and have been unable to rejoin the workforce.
Under the measure, the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers would be extended for seven months and expanded with a $6,500 credit for some prospective homebuyers who already own homes.
The nearly 2 million people who have lost or are in danger of exhausting unemployment benefits before the end of the year would receive up to 20 weeks in additional benefits.
