1.3 million to lose unemployment benefits as Obama pushes for aid extension

President Obama has offered his support to two senators proposing to extend expiring federal unemployment benefits.

Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island have proposed extending for three months benefits that more than 1 million Americans will lose Saturday if they are not extended. Obama called the two senators separately on Friday, describing it as an urgent economic priority.

'This morning, the President placed separate telephone calls to Senator Jack Reed and Senator Dean Heller to offer his support for their proposal to extend emergency unemployment benefits for three months,' White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement.

'The President said his administration would, as it has for several weeks now, push Congress to act promptly and in bipartisan fashion to address this urgent economic priority.'

Obama says the abrupt cut-off in cash assistance during the holidays will hurt economic growth and jobs.

Economic adviser to the president Gene Sperling says the Senate will hold a vote on the proposal as soon as Congress returns next month.

news3blog.blogspot.com contributed to this report.