MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) - All of the media attention on the so-called “fiscal cliff” centers on the end of the Bush-era tax cuts and big federal spending reductions. Failure by Congress to reach a deal could impact the U.S. economy.

But, the Budget Project at the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families says that’s not all there is to worry about. Forty thousand people in Wisconsin would lose their emergency unemployment compensation. The number of people affected nationwide could approach two million unemployment benefit recipients.

A spokesman for the council says 40 percent of all people out of work have been searching for a job for more than six months. The deadline everyone is focused on is December 31st.