WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has voted to extend unemployment benefits in a gesture made futile by the Senate's inability to pass the bill.

As a result, more than 1.3 million laid-off workers who have already lost benefits won't get them restored before Congress goes on a week-long break for Independence Day. The last extension expired at the end of May.

The House passed a bill Thursday to extend unemployment payments for up to a total of 99 weeks, for people whose state-paid benefits have run out. The benefits would be available through the end of November, at a cost of $33.9 billion.

Senate Republicans, however, successfully filibustered a similar bill Wednesday night before senators adjourned for the congressional recess.

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