Washington » Out-of-work Utahns would not be eligible for the extension of jobless benefits passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House on Tuesday, so no congressmen from the state backed the measure.

"If you are unemployed in Utah, it is just as bad as being unemployed in Michigan," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. "It is wrong to include some states and not others."

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., would extend jobless benefits for 13 weeks but only in states with at least 8.5 percent unemployment. So far, 27 states and the District of Columbia fall into that category. Utah's jobless rate is 6 percent.

Chaffetz was one of 66 House Republicans voting against the bill, which passed 331-83. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, joined 16 other Democrats in opposition. Utah GOP Rep. Rob Bishop did not vote.

"I am definitely for extending unemployment benefits," Matheson said. "It shouldn't matter what state they live in."

Normally, the unemployed can receive federal assistance for 26 weeks, but in the current recession Congress has extended that twice. In the hardest-hit states, people now can claim benefits for up to 79 weeks.

Matt Canham


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