GOP considers extending unemployment benefit at reduced level of $100 a week through December

[demmiblue]

Source: CNBC

Republicans are considering extending the enhanced unemployment insurance benefit at a reduced level of $400 per month through the rest of the year, sources told CNBC.

Congress passed a $600 per week, or $2,400 a month, boost to jobless benefits in March to deal with a wave of unemployment unseen in decades as states shut down their economies to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The policy expires at the end of July as the U.S. unemployment rate stands above 11% despite two strong months of job growth.

The GOP, which has not made a final decision on how it will craft unemployment insurance in a bill set to be released this week, previously discussed additional payments of about $200 per week. Democrats want to make the $600 per week sum available at least until next year.

The level Republicans are mulling would slash the amount of money beneficiaries receive at a time when roughly 30 million people are receiving unemployment insurance in some form. The additional assistance helped Americans cover food and rent during the outbreak, and many economists say it boosted household spending and buoyed the economy.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/22/coronavirus-stimulus-republicans-consider-unemployment-insurance-extension.html

[in2herbs]

1. I hope the Ds stick with their demand of $600/week --- and nothing for any business or

corporation.

[jimfields33]

2. 800 a week from federal and maybe the states off the hook?

Florida gives 235 bucks so not much of a loss really. States are in horrible financial shape.

[leftieNanner]

6. Good idea.

nt

[underpants]

9. If they hadn't waiting until the last minute

They could have worked something out to help the states and some sort of graduated scale.

Yeah it’s keeping people in housing and th economy floating but from a fiscal governance standpoint there’s a better way to do it. The initial lump some amounts, we didn’t need it but we took it. Donated to several local charities.

[eggplant]

19. NY caps at $505.

[jimfields33]

20. Wow. That's dang good.

Like I said Florida is 236 or close to it. So New Yorkers get 1150 a week. That should be living wage that every state should give.

[eggplant]

29. Without the extra $600, it is still tough.

The cap may be $505, but you still only qualify for half your previous wages, so it's a hit regardless. Without the $600/week, the economy here would be a complete disaster and people would be hugely suffering (instead of just, you know, regular suffering).

[dhill926]

4. how generous....

fucking assholes. Who the hell can do anything on $100 a week....

[leftieNanner]

7. Well Steevie Mnuchin thought that $1,200 would last a family 10 weeks

So the $100 isn't too far off that. Right?

His trophy wife probably blows through $1,200 for lunch.

[bluestarone]

26. EXACTLY!

Multi millions to people that DO NOT need it and we get 100? FUCK THEM ALL!!

[peoli]

5. Assholes

[underpants]

8. Not going to cover rent or mortgages

Let alone anything else

[Igel]

14. Depends what the usual unemployment is.

The headline makes it sound like that's the entirety of the unemployment benefit.

It's actually the add-on amount on top of what the state (or feds) pay for 'regular' unemployment.

A lot of people still aren't clear on the idea that the $600 that's due to end won't cause benefits to plummet to $0. It'll just go down to what your state pays--or, if the state benefits have run out, what federal unemployment benefits are.

Problem is, it's not in the media's interest to make this understood.

[underpants]

17. That is true

It’s still going to be tight.


$378 is the weekly max in Virginia. That’s if you were earning over $40K to start with.

[durablend]

10. You think they really care?

If anything, Twittler's jackboots are a warmup to take care of any dissent among the proles.

[duforsure]

11. Keep cutting funds to the people

It's turning more states blue.

[HotTeaBag]

23. Yeah, I don't understand. The Senate Republicans MUST know that if they

do this they are sure to lose the Senate. A lot of them are cruel but very few if any are actually stupid.

The story has to be a trial balloon, or at the very least a way for Mitch to say "Whew, look how hard I had to fight to get it up to $500 a week - I am champion for the people and deserve re-election" or something.

[BamaRefugee]

12. F**K THAT! I don't think we have enough sidewalks for all the homeless folks this will create.

[Doreen]

13. That will hardly cover some milk, bread, cereal, and maybe some real cheap lunch meat for half

a month. Where I live half a gallon of milk is 5.35. I feel for those who have children. Nothing like being forced to send hungry children to school while hunger makes your immune system weaker.

[bringthePaine]

15. so "let them eat cake" as Refucks ramp up their serial failure extravaganza, how innovative...

[BlueIdaho]

16. Slap in the face...

And the best way to kickstart the next recession. If it wouldn’t hurt millions of people I’d say “Bring it on!” People would crucify Trump, Pence, and McConnell. The rest would just be buried in a pit.

[intrepidity]

18. Is that a typo? $100?

I guess not.

[GeorgeGist]

21. Greed is a social disease.

[2naSalit]

22. Only if THEY have to live on that too.

And I mean they have to pay for everything out of pocket with it and see how long they last, and no help from anyone else.

[pandr32]

24. Why am I not surprised?

[cstanleytech]

25. What about the ones that are working but getting far less in wages?

[James48]

27. Michigan max benefit is $362.

Minimum is $180.

If they only give $400 a MONTH instead of instead of $600 A WEEK-people will not likely be able to survive. Bills won’t all get paid, And the housing and auto sectors will both get slammed.


The $600 a WEEK pandemic assistance now has been a lifesaver for many. If it’s any less than $400 a WEEK -it will be a disaster. Republicans are going to offer $100 a week? Disaster!

We’ve GOT to get everybody to wear a mask and lick this disease. Please!

[Progressive Jones]

28. Well, that's a way to buy votes. The GOP is a bunch of morons. nt

[OneCrazyDiamond]

30. Are they considering anything for frontline workers?

What about PPE?