By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — New claims for jobless benefits fell last week in a sign that layoffs may be easing as the U.S. economy slowly recovers. The Labor Department said Thursday that initial claims ...

Tagged with: Beige Book Bunning economy Fed Federal Reserve jobs Labor Department unemployment

By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Tuesday passed a $10 billion measure to maintain unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless and provide stopgap funding for highway programs after a holdout Republican dropped stalling tactics ...

Tagged with: benefits Bunning jobs Obama Senate unemployment

By Andrew Taylor AP Writer Washington — With a Senate impasse causing federal furloughs and threatening the unemployment benefits of thousands, the top Republican on Tuesday predicted quick passage of a stopgap measure to extend help for the unemployed and ...

Tagged with: Bunning U.S. Senate unemployment benefits

By Andrew Taylor AP Writer Washington — A retiring Republican senator on Tuesday again blocked the U.S. Senate from extending unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for the jobless. Sen. Jim Bunning objected to a request by Sen. Susan Collins, ...

Tagged with: Bunning U.S. Senate unemployment benefits

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Jobless benefits suddenly ended for some laid-off workers, Medicare payments to doctors were delayed and 2,000 federal transportation workers were sent home Monday in a spending dispute tinged with election-year politics. ...

Tagged with: benefits Bunning Federal Highway Administration jobs LaHood National Highway Traffic Safety Administration unemployment

By Paul Snyder Contractors are waiting for Congress to make a move after lawmakers failed to pass a bill extending financing for highway construction that left projects suspended throughout the country. The bill would prevent an $11.1 billion reduction in ...

Tagged with: AGC American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Associated General Contractors of America Bunning highway Highway Trust Fund jobs bill Traas Turmail Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association