country. let's go to heidi at the white house for us. heidi, welcome to you. is the white house concerned that when extended unemployment benefits end, it will hurt the economy? >> reporter: they seem to be split. the white house is official line is that these benefits have already given the economy the soft launch that it needs and that it is steadily improving despite this disappointing jobs report we saw from august. republicans have always been critical. they believe the benefits are disincentive to work. the white house said it's time for the states to take over. here is white house senior adviser. >> the recovery is happening. we've added more jobs in the first seven months than any other administration in history.