Congress will tap unused funds from the Wall Street bailout to pay for new spending on roads and bridges and save the jobs of public employees.
The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 10% in November as employers cut the smallest number of jobs since the recession began.
The Obama administration's No. 1 job is to get companies to start creating jobs again, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Thursday.
More than half of U.S. states added jobs in October, though economists said many of the gains likely occurred in temporary employment.
A recent study warns that at least 10 states are barreling toward disaster, raising the likelihood of higher taxes, government layoffs and service cuts.
Job openings are at rock-bottom levels, according to recent surveys, a trend that could keep the unemployment rate high even as layoffs slow.
It hurts more to be unemployed now than the last time the jobless rate hit 10%.
The unemployment rate went up slightly more than expected. Are you worried? Should you be?
The House is poised to approve a bill extending jobless benefits and additional tax credits for prospective homebuyers.
Three or four years ago, people had two job concerns — getting laid off or not getting raises fast enough. Now many face a new concern — a pay cut.
