Congressional Democrats will have many priorities for the lame duck legislative session that convenes next week, but extending unemployment benefits should be near the top of the list.

At 9.6 percent, unemployment remains painfully high. The October jobs report brought encouraging news; private employers added 159,000 jobs, the most substantial net increase in employment since April. Economists said signs of improvement in the economy have reassured companies, and retailers have begun to hire in anticipation of a strong holiday shopping season.

But this gain is not enough to make any significant headway on the unemployment rate. Jobs will remain hard to find and many jobless Americans face a bleak holiday season.

Times will be especially uncertain for those nearing the end of their 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits. They are eligible for additional emergency benefits, but this federal program is due to expire in December. Up to 2 million people could lose benefits during the holiday season.

With the support of Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Olympia Snowe, the Senate extended benefits in July. In the wake of success in the mid-term elections, the Republican leadership is insisting that any increase in benefits must be offset by budget cuts elsewhere.

Unemployment benefits are an essential lifeline for many families, and also provide continuing stimulus for the economy. Because such aid is quickly spent, it provides a nearly immediate boost to the economy.

Republicans shouldn’t use this issue to pressure the administration to reduce stimulus efforts. Extended unemployment benefits have long been part of the government’s recovery strategy, and shouldn’t be curtailed because of politics.