After listening to a great speech by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), as I type at 4:30 pm, the Senate is taking their final vote on the Unemployment Extension Act of 2009, H.R. 3548. Since September 23, people have been anxiously waiting for the Senate to come to their senses and pass the vote on H.R. 3548. Considering 7,000 Americans are exhausting their unemployment benefits every day, Americans are hurting. Some have already lost everything, including their homes. Its not that they don't want jobs, but with an unemployment rate of 9.8% and six unemployed workers for every job opening, there is not enough jobs to go around.

YES! YES! YES! It is done. Believe it or not, fellow Americans all senators voted aye on H.R. 3548. It's not quite done yet through, folks. Now the Senate's amended version will have to be reconciled with the House of Representatives, and they will have to vote on it too. Hopefully, there will not be any problems in the House of Represenatives, and President can sign it into law.

The amended version calls for 14 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for all eligible unemployed workers and 6 additional weeks for states with unemployment rates of 8.5% or above. Additionally, an amendments to extend the first-time homeowners credit is included.

 Sleep more peacefully tonight, Americans, progress is finally being made.