With unemployment benefits set to expire for many Minnesotans, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday that after working closely with Senate leaders and the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate unemployment benefits bill, will include extensions for unemployed Minnesotans.

In recent weeks, Klobuchar has fought to include Minnesotans in an extension.

She, along with 17 of her colleagues, called on the Senate Finance Committee and Senate leaders to include all states in the extension of unemployment benefits.

A related bill passed by the House of Representatives would extend more unemployment benefits to only those states with unemployment levels of 8.5 percent or above.

Currently, Minnesota would not be covered at all because it has an unemployment rate of approximately 8 percent.

“I fought to make sure that Minnesota was included in the extension of unemployment benefits,” said Klobuchar. “Many Minnesotans are trying desperately to find a job and it is important that those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits continue to receive relief.”

The Senate bill, which was introduced today, would give all 50 states an additional 14 weeks for jobless workers who have exhausted their benefits.

Additionally, in states with unemployment rates at 8.5% or above, workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits would receive an additional 6 weeks.