The Senate passed a bill on Monday to grant unemployment benefits for 2.4 million Americans who have been out of work for at least six months. (Image via Wikipedia)

The bill passed 59-38 and now will go to the House, where it is expected to face some opposition. House Speaker John Boehner has voiced his concerns, saying the bill fails to help enhance job creation.

Still, a group of seven Republicans wrote to Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, saying it is time to "restore unemployment benefits to struggling Americans."

"The speaker has said since before Christmas that we are open to looking at extending emergency UI (unemployment insurance) - as long as it is paid-for, and does something to create more private-sector jobs," said Boehner's press secretary, according to Reuters.

Read the full account here.