Watch CBS News

Gillibrand Calls On Lawmakers To Extend Jobless Benefits

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said more than 800,000 people in New York state are out of work, and 15 million are unemployed nationwide. Almost half of them have been out of work more than six months.

Gillibrand held a news conference in Buffalo with Mayor Byron Brown on Sunday to encourage federal lawmakers to extend long-term unemployment benefits through the end of 2011.

They criticized Republicans in Congress who have been fighting against an extension of unemployment benefits while seeking an extension of tax cuts for millionaires.

Republican leaders in Washington have said extending long-term benefits for the jobless will add billions of dollars to the national debt.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.