It was a mixed week on the jobs front. On Thursday the U.S. Labor Department reported that the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell 15,000 last week and the four-week average in down more than 9,700. Then on Friday came word that the country added 74,000 jobs last month, the weakest showing since 2011.

The positive indicators suggest the economy is finally gaining some momentum. A growing economy generates more federal revenue, which can be used to lower yearly deficits and the national debt.

Still, no one is suggesting the economy is in great shape. There is near universal recognition that the federal government shouldn’t do anything stupid that could cause the economy to collapse again.

By stupid, we mean failing to extend unemployment benefits to the more than 1 million Americans who have been looking for work for more than a year. To pull the rug out from under these people just as there is reason for hope would be cruel and counterproductive.

Unemployment benefits are poured back into the economy and help relieve the strain on other, less efficient, government safety-net programs. Unemployed workers use the money to keep their homes and cars and keep food on the table.

Extended benefits were shamefully allowed to expire in the week after Christmas. Equally shamful was the fact that senators got bogged down on Thursday when they tried to craft a measure to extend them temporarily.

Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a compromise. But then, why would they? They already have jobs.

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