On Eve of Benefit Cuts, Still No Support for Jobless Americans

Washington, DC — Today’s numbers indicate that jobless claims rose this week for the second week in a row — adding an additional 1.4 million Americans to the unemployment ranks on the eve of the enhanced unemployment benefits established in the CARES Act running out. These benefits have kept millions of workers and their families afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. But rather than prioritize support for these families and their wellbeing, Senate lawmakers released a bill this week that slashed their benefits — while giving handouts to the interests of Trump and his allies in corporate America.

JOBLESS AMERICANS ARE PANICKING: 

• The New York Times: An Extra $600 a Week Kept Many Jobless Workers Afloat. Now What Will They Do?
• CNBC: 35% of women who’ve lost income from the pandemic say they can’t live a month without the $600 unemployment boost
• NPR: ‘Tsunami’ Of Evictions Feared As Extra $600 Unemployment Payments End

ECONOMISTS FEAR THE WORST:

• CNN: Cutting the $600 unemployment benefit could hurt the recovery, economists say
• Forbes: Cuts To Weekly $600 Unemployment Payments Could Roll Markets
• CNBC: Getting rid of extended jobless benefits would come with a big economic hit

BUT LAWMAKERS HAVE STILL FAILED TO OFFER SUPPORT:

• PBS: McConnell: Some Republicans think ‘we have already done enough’ pandemic aid
• CNBC: Enhanced unemployment would drop to $200 per week through September under new Senate proposal
• The Washington Post: McConnell says stimulus deal could take ‘a few weeks,’ putting millions with expiring jobless aid in limbo

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