The $24 billion bill, passed 98-0, also provides tax relief for struggling businesses. It comes to the rescue of more than 1 million out-of-work people who will run out of benefits by the end of the year. Everyone will receive 14 weeks of additional benefits, while those in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent and above - which include Pennsylvania and New Jersey - get six weeks on top of that.

With enactment, the jobless in the hardest-hit states could receive up to 99 weeks of benefits, which average about $300 a week. That would well exceed the previous record of 65 weeks during the 1970s.

The $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, enacted as part of the stimulus package last February and set to expire this month, would be extended and expanded to include a $6,500 credit for people who have lived in their current residences at least five years.

Congress has no choice but to act when there are 15 million jobless chasing three million jobs and 7,000 people run out of benefits every day, said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. Economists talk about the end of the recession, he said, but "for most Americans, it will still be some time before things start getting better."

The legislation now goes to the House, which is expected to quickly send it to President Obama for his signature.

The legislation would extend the $8,000 tax credit through next June as long as the buyer enters into a binding contract before April 30. It doubles the income ceiling for qualification to $125,000 for individuals.

The new $6,500 credit for existing homeowners, said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., a co-sponsor of the measure, "is going to help us boost what is the problem in the U.S. housing market today and that is what is called the move-up market."

The third leg of the bill extends to all businesses that have incurred losses in 2008 and 2009 to seek refunds for taxes paid on profits over the past five years.