LANSING, MI (AP)-- Republican U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land has come out in favor of extending the unemployment benefits of 43,000 Michigan residents.
Land on Tuesday issued a statement saying she supports an extension of jobless benefits to "those actively seeking gainful employment." She adds that it's just a short-term fix and another example of how Washington is governed by crisis.
White House-backed legislation to renew jobless benefits unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle on Tuesday. It would restore benefits to 1.3 million long-term jobless affected when the program expired December 28.
Democratic candidate Gary Peters also supports extending jobless benefits, saying it's an investment with a proven economic return.
Land's stance in high-unemployment Michigan puts her at odds with some Republicans and outside conservative organizations that say an extension is wasteful.