Labor Department: 500 North Dakotans could lose benefits

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — About 500 North Dakotans would lose their benefits if Congress fails to extend unemployment insurance benefits.

The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday released state-by-state estimates of the number of people who would be effected.

The House of Representatives last week passed a bill to extend benefits 30 days, including unemployment insurance. But Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., has single-handedly held up the bill.

Bunning said he opposed the extension because it would add to the budget deficit, already projected to hit a record $1.56 trillion this year. Bunning proposed to pay for the extension with unspent money from last year's economic recovery package, but Democrats objected.

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