The benefit probably helps millions make more money they they would working for cheap employers….
But with the Republican’s knocking it after the report that people are not in a hurry to go back to work for that and other reasons and even President Biden joining the GOPer’s?
Chuck Schumer and other Democrats could be the losing end of keeping the money flowing from Congress…
Senate Democrats are signaling they’re unlikely to extend a $300 federal weekly unemployment benefit past September, especially if the economy continues to recover.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at a Tuesday press conference there was “overwhelming support” among Democrats to keep providing the additional money to existing unemployment insurance. But not every member of his caucus is on board, particularly after last week’s weaker-than-expected April jobs report….
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Senate Republicans are not expected to support another extension. So without Manchin’s vote, Democrats wouldn’t be able to pass the added benefit through reconciliation. There’s also some hesitation among moderates in the House. When asked whether House Democrats had the votes to extend benefits, one moderate Democratic lawmaker responded: “God, I hope not.”
Business groups, Republicans and some Democrats argue the benefit is a disincentive to work by providing more money than some people make at their jobs. The White House counters that businesses need to provide higher wages and safer working conditions to entice workers to return.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said there had been “report after report indicating” it was “not accurate” that the benefits discouraged work. He cited the need for childcare and the reduction of public transit service in many cities as several of the factors affecting the labor market. Reducing benefits in the way Republican governors had done would leave many people with effectively no income, he said.
Several economists also highlight a Yale study from last year that found “no evidence” that the initial $600 boost in federal unemployment benefits from last year’s CARES Act increased layoffs or discouraged workers from returning to their jobs over time….