Relief comes to the unemployed and to homebuyers

Unemployed workers facing the loss of their benefits have a little less to worry about. On Thursday, a bill passed by lawmakers in the House of Representatives allowed for an extension of those benefits. The legislation also expands an $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and gives business owners affected by the economic downturn a tax credit.

The measure passed the House by an overwhelming margin -- 403-12 -- and now goes to President Barack Obama to sign, which he has said he would do as early as Friday. The Senate passed the bill 98-0 on Wednesday. It extends a lifeline to jobless Americans who would otherwise see unemployment benefits disappear starting next month.