who tell me that they hate taking unemployment benefits but that they would have lost their homes without it. unemployment benefits yield $2 in demand for every $1 spent, according to a new report from the department of labor. this is a very effective way to stimulate our economy and create jobs. the same holds for the payroll tax holiday that s included in this package, it s going to put real dollars in the hands of millions of americans, dollars that they re going to spend. i strongly support extending the expanded earned income tax credit which helps about 6.5 million working parents. i m glad this legislation includes the american opportunity tax credit, making college tuition more affordable for 8 million students. this bill also extends the renewable energy grant program, the r&d tax credit, the ethanol and biodiesel tax credits, all provisions that i strongly support. voting no on this legislation would be voting no on all of these vital programs. the economists ar