NEW YORK, NY September 25, 2009 —New York State Labor Commissioner Patricia Smith says legislation pending in the U.S. Senate would provide additional payments to many workers who have nearly tapped out their unemployment benefits. But she says the consequences will be serious if the bill isn't approved by the end of the year.

SMITH: We anticipate if this bill isn't passed 90,000 New Yorkers will be off New York's unemployment benefits and still not have a job.

REPORTER: And she says more than a million people would be affected nationwide. Smith spoke at a meeting of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies in Niagara Falls yesterday. She and her counterparts from 17 other states are urging the Senate to follow the House's lead and extend jobless benefits in states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent.