EXTRA: OBAMA SIGNS BENEFIT BILL

After delay after delay - seven weeks worth - from the Republican Party (the party that didn't want to help the unemployed but wanted to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy), an unemployment benefit extension bill hit the President Obama's desk earlier this evening.

The President released this statement after he signed legislation:

"I signed the unemployment insurance extension to restore desperately needed assistance to two and a half million Americans who lost their jobs in the recession.

"After a partisan minority used procedural tactics to block the authorization of this assistance three separate times over the past weeks, Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times.

"Now it’s time for Congress to act on more proposals that support our economic recovery, including passing critical aid to our states and support to small businesses. Small businesses are the engine of job growth, and measures to cut their taxes and make lending available should not be held hostage to partisan tactics like those that unconscionably held up unemployment insurance."

The Story: Checks are coming: Obama signs jobless bill. [MSNBC from AP]