"It appears everything is in chaos," Mendelsohn said. "It's getting ugly."
As for the jobless benefits, about 1.2 million people would exhaust their unemployment insurance by the end of the year without the extension, sponsors said. The measure is estimated to cost about $5.7 billion, although economists put the positive impact at $1.64 for every dollar spent on jobless benefits because the money helps sustain other jobs and restores consumer confidence.
The House approved the bill last month.
The nation's unemployment rate hit a 14-year high of 6.5 percent last month.
Yesterday's Labor Department report said claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to 542,000 - the highest level since July 1992 and fresh evidence of a rapidly weakening job market that is expected to get even worse next year.
Even already battered industries such as construction and manufacturing are expected to see more job cuts, many economists warn. Layoffs also are likely to spread to relatively unscathed areas such as retail, transportation and hotels and restaurants.
"I don't think any of these sectors have reached the bottom," said Carl Riccadonna, senior U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank.
The unemployment legislation as approved would provide seven additional weeks of payments to people who have exhausted their benefits or will exhaust them soon. Those in states where the unemployment rate is above 6 percent would be entitled to an additional 13 weeks above the 26 weeks of regular benefits. (Maryland's unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in September, the most recent figures available.) Benefit checks average about $300 a week nationwide.
The Senate vote yesterday could wrap up this session of Congress - with the possibility of the December return. The Democratic leaders' main condition for that special session was that the Big Three automakers first present a plan showing how federal aid would help them modernize.
"Until we can see a plan where the auto industry is held accountable," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, "we cannot show them the money."
"We are prepared to come back into session the week of Dec. 8 to help the auto industry," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "But only if they present a responsible plan that gives us a realistic chance to get the needed votes."
