The failure of the House to extend unemployment benefits hurts millions of individuals who have been unable to find work. It also hurts the overall economy by damaging the ability of these individuals to buy goods and services.

On November 30, emergency jobless benefits for between one to two million of the nation's 9.6 percent unemployed were set to expire. The majority of House Republicans chose not to join in making a two-thirds majority of votes necessary to approve the extension, which would cost $12.5 billion. They argue their approval would be contingent on making budget cuts of an equivalent amount.

Opposition to extending jobless benefits for another 90 days is a heartless act in the midst of a Great Recession that has left millions unemployed. At the same time, it is a foolish act that hurts the overall economy even more.

It is estimated that ending federal unemployment benefits will remove $80 billion in consumer spending from the economy. The report of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress calculated that every dollar spent on this benefit increases the gross national product by $1.60.

The reason is simple. The unemployed use the money immediately for basic products and services instead of investing or saving, thereby contributing to the chain of economic recovery.

The federal deficit is a serious problem that drains resources as it grows. Reducing the deficit should be a priority. However, it is wrong to think a significant dent can be made in the problem by eliminating these unemployment benefits.

If the decision to extend the benefits isn't made on socio-political or compassionate grounds, at a minimum, it should be an economic decision at a time when our economy needs all the help it can get. The deficit is no excuse for not approving an extension.