Bush Criticized For Inaction On Unemployment

Baltimore Sun - AP -- Of the nearly 8.8 million Americans out of work, 341,000 lost their jobs last month. Nearly 2 million have been searching for employment for more than six months, [Rep. Sander M. Levin, a Michigan Democrat] said .

Democrats' efforts to renew the unemployment program have faltered. Unless Congress renews it, the program, which provides workers about 13 weeks of support, will expire May 31.

Senate Republicans have said they will consider a modest extension, but the White House and GOP House leaders have not made their support clear.

"House Republicans act as if we must choose - either grow the economy or help the unemployed," Levin said. "But it is the president's economic policy that is costing us jobs. Our country is experiencing the longest sustained job loss since the Great Depression."