(Washington, DC)  --  A measure that would extend the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and would extend jobless benefits could be voted on today by the House.

   On Wednesday the Senate approved a proposal to extend jobless benefits 14 weeks and continue the popular home tax credit with a unanimous vote.

   Unemployment benefits were also extended an additional six weeks in states with especially high jobless rates.
   The home tax credit program, set to expire at the end of the month, would be continued until April 30th.

   The cost to extend unemployment benefits would be an estimated $2.4-billion, while the home tax credit program would cost $10-billion.

   The Senate measure also expands the credit to higher-income buyers and grants a $6,500 credit to buyers who have owned a home for at least five years.

   Differences in the House and Senate bills will have to be reconciled before legislation is sent to President Obama for his expected signature.



   (Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)