Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today voted to approve legislation to extend unemployment benefits to New Mexicans who continue to seek employment in this difficult economic climate and helps curb the state's Medicaid cost, as well as extend important energy tax credits.  The measure passed 62-36.

The Senate-passed bill provides a one-year extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA (health care) premium tax credits.

"Unemployment benefits are helping families keep their heads above water.  This bill continues to support New Mexicans during these tough times, as they continue to look for employment," Bingaman said.  "The bill also extending tax cuts to incentivize the use of biodiesel and renewable energy."

The bill also contains a six-month extension of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to help New Mexico defray the costs of Medicaid– the federal/state initiative that provides health care to low-income Americans.  This extension will provide New Mexico with more than $100 million, which is also critical to the state budget.  The funding would run through June of 2011.  Additionally, the legislation prevents cuts to doctors who treat Medicare patients as well as extending several important provisions that will also protect beneficiaries' access to Medicare services.

The bill also extends several energy tax provisions that expired at the end of 2009, including credits for home efficiency and alternative fuel vehicles, as well as for biodiesel, renewable diesel and other alternative fuels.

Additionally, the bill includes $354 million in small business loans to help the country's entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.