WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) applauded Senate passage today of the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which will extend the safety net for families struggling to find and keep jobs and give a hand-up to families ready to buy homes. The bill will also not add to the deficit or ask taxpayers to support new spending.

“This bill provides an important social safety net to families in distress,” Senator Mikulski said. “The financial crisis that started on Wall Street has left Main Street and America’s working families hurting. These are proud families that thought if they worked hard and played by the rules they could live with dignity and security. This bill gives them time to get back on their feet while we get the economy back on track.”

The bill extends 14 additional weeks of unemployment insurance to 2 million Americans and around 20,000 Marylanders who otherwise would lose benefits in the midst of the most severe recession since the end of World War II.

Senator Mikulski fought to extend benefits to states like Maryland with relatively low unemployment. Companion legislation approved earlier this month by the House of Representatives would extend unemployment benefits only in states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent. Maryland’s unemployment rate is 7.1 percent. As a result of Senator Mikulski’s efforts and those of her colleagues the Senate bill will include a 14 week benefit extension for all states including Maryland. The House is expected to pass the bill with the changes made by the Senate before the bill is signed into law by President Obama.

“I want Maryland families to know that I am on the side of Main Street, not Wall Street, and I will keep fighting for them,” Senator Mikulski said.

The bill also extends the Homebuyer’s Tax Credit set to expire at the end of this month. The Senate bill provides an $8,000 tax credit for new homes purchased before April 30, 2010. The bill also extends a $6,500 tax credit to home-owners who have lived in the same home for at least five years for the purchase of a new principal residence.

“The housing market collapse has had a devastating ripple effect up and down Main Street and throughout Maryland communities,” Senator Mikulski said. “This bill gives families who need it help in the pocketbook to buy their first home or move to their next home. It helps families, it helps communities, and it helps with jobs.”