Bad news for those receiving unemployment benefits. If Congress doesn’t take action this week, more than one million people will lose federal unemployment benefits at the end of the year. The White House is urging Congress to extend the benefits to help the economy. Republicans say the program has already cost the country $252 billion dollars; however, House Speaker John Boehner has suggested he’s open to an extension if the White House comes up with a plan. Federal unemployment benefits kick in after state benefits run out.