Bush may help workers who lost jobs after attacks

From Kelly Wallace
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush is considering ideas to help workers who lost their jobs as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks, including a proposal to extend the 26-week unemployment benefit program by 13 weeks, an administration official told CNN.

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao presented Bush with a series of options to help "dislocated workers throughout the economy," the official said Friday. A decision from the president could come as early as next week, the official added.

Aides said it is possible assistance for laid-off workers could be included in a broader package to stimulate the economy.

"The president is very concerned about the economy and workers who have lost their jobs," the official said.

Before departing for Camp David Friday afternoon, Bush met with Chao and other members of his "domestic consequences team," a group of aides coordinating the administration's response to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Democrats have been pushing a $3 billion plan to help laid-off workers, which includes unemployment benefits for a full year, as well as health care coverage and job training.

A senior Democratic aide on Capitol Hill said White House officials contacted Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat., to ask for his input. Kennedy is pushing two measures, a $21 billion to $31 billion economic stimulus package, which covers all workers, and then a separate measure for dislocated workers in the airline industry.

The president will continue to work with Congress "in a bipartisan way," Ari Fleischer, Bush's spokesman said. Bush is scheduled to have breakfast with bipartisan congressional leaders Tuesday.