DC battle threatens unemployment extention in 2010

A battle in the U.S. Senate over the nation's deficit and taxes is increasingly leaving the country's jobless as its biggest victim. Congress ended the week with no action to extend unemployment benefits in 2010.

According to the National Employment Law Project, 900,000 people have already lost some benefits and the number will grow to 1.2 million by month's end. By the end of July, that number will double without congressional action. The delay may wind up being temporary, but it is infuriating advocates for the unemployed.

"They are playing partisan games with these people's lives," said Judy Conti, federal advocacy coordinator for the law project, noting the country's 9.7% jobless rate. "How do they think that these people are going to eat and keep their health care?"