WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEXSTAR) — When Congress handed its first main stimulus bundle within the midst of the COVID disaster, it offered prolonged unemployment advantages that are set to expire.
Whereas hundreds of thousands of People are nonetheless out of labor, the extra unemployment advantages they’re getting — offering an financial lifeline for a lot of — are set to run out.
“This unemployment insurance coverage uncertainty is devastating,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., mentioned.
Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congress should prolong the additional weekly $600 unemployment profit past July 31.
However she says it must be a part of a stimulus bundle that features cash for hospitals, testing, and native governments.
“They are surely all linked, they’re all of 1 piece,” Speaker Pelosi mentioned.
“We shouldn’t have a deal with on this,” Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., mentioned.
Democrat Brian Higgins says given the current rise in COVID instances, Congress wants to assist People to remain dwelling — with out dropping earnings.
“As long as the catastrophe remains to be with us, we might want to present catastrophe aid,” Rep. Higgins mentioned.
Speaker Pelosi says all of that’s included within the Heroes Act, the $three trillion stimulus bundle the Home handed in Could. However Republican leaders say — as is — it gained’t cross the Senate.
“It’ll be higher to do one bundle all collectively,” Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., mentioned.
And in that bundle, Home GOP Chief Kevin McCarthy says Congress shouldn’t prolong the $600 unemployment profit.
“If any person is off work from COVID, ought to they make more cash than once they have been working? As a result of keep in mind that cash just isn’t free,” Rep. McCarthy mentioned.
McCarthy says the unemployment bonus discourages folks from working.
“There are a selection of companies which have referred to as folks again, and so they mentioned I’d reasonably keep off,” he mentioned.
McCarthy is assured each events could have a negotiated stimulus bundle earlier than August.