if apprpoved, it would help more than 300-thousand unemployed people... that are expected to run out of benefits by the end of this month. and by the end of this year, more than 1 million workers will collect their last unemployment checks.. according to the national employment law project. right now.. for every available job - there are nearly 6 unemployed americans... and the level of long term unemployment is at historic highs... about 5 million people have been without work for more than 6 months. and more on the legislation that congress will vote on in the coming weeks the bill's sponsor says the additional cost of extending unemployment benefits would be paid for.. and would not add to the deficit. to help offset the cost... the proposal calls for extending the federal unemployment tax that companies pay by one year... the tax costs employers 14 dollars per year.. for each employee. the legislation calls for extending unemployment benefits through the end of next year.. it would apply to workers living in 26 states with the highest unemployment rat